Sechelt council members dove into Round 2 of 2024 budget deliberations on Jan. 10 in their committee of the whole.
When it came to sewer rates, a 3.69 per cent increase was proposed.
The increase was credited to $78,000 moving from the public works budget to the sewer operating fund budget.
This increase would equal a $24.2 increase to residential user fees and a $51 increase to commercial unit sewer fees.
David Douglas, director of financial services, said that in recent years whatever changes are made to sewer rates are also made to septage rates.
A 3.69 per cent increase to septage rates would equate to $0.02 increase to unloading fees.
He noted that septage revenue continues to decline, suggesting it is time to consider a regional strategy.
Sechelt council unanimously voted to add the proposed changes to the sewer and septage operations to the current financial plan.
Jordan Copp is the Coast Reporter’s civic and Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
