Discussions

40 percent over 4 years....That is what they are going to ask the utilities board for.  
These types of increases are going to be the downfall of our cities housing market. People cannot afford this right now. Much of our market is related to the success of the oil business in our surrounding area and that is in the tank right now.  
Pensioners will be driven from their homes and young people will move elsewhere where they can see an attainable future.  
Did we learn nothing from other cities like Calgary that crashed because peoples incomes could not support all the hikes? Why now?....Kick people when they are down.  
There are precious few people who are lucky enough to get a 3% increase in their wage each year and with all the rising taxes and utilities they just won't be able to make ends meet.  
 
These are just my thoughts and I know people will agree and disagree but at what point does it stop? When people leave!

Not happy with this possibility! This city is getting more and more unaffordable for people to live in!  
 
We pay an enormous amount for our taxes and now a huge increase for the water?  
 
I wish the city would start to look at the average wage of citizens living here! I know lots of people that are barely making ends meet!  
 
Unless you are lucky enough to score a gov't job, whether federal, provincial or civic people make a below average wage.  
 
Then we have to face a possible, what 40% increase for Hydro?

It is like the bully in the school yard that won't be happy until you are penniless. I really think that they could postpone these increases somehow and stop kicking people when they are down.  
Johnbisonbear, I totally agree that it should not be based on amounts collected in other cities for taxes and utilities but the wages attained in those cities and whether the market will be able to handle these increases. It is like the increase for police and such that used Calgary as a comparison??? Really?  
It is just overall going to be bad for our city. People will leave and those who stay will have less money to shop and go to events thus removing dollars from businesses pockets.  
They need to trim the fat in other spots!  
 
Edited by Loaf, 2015-08-20 08:20:32

Virden is talking about a new sewer treatment plant, I wonder how much taxes will increases for that project.  
 
The RM of Park has HIGH taxes and they offer NO services, no garbage pickup or recycling, no water or sewer.  
 
But people continue you pay the increases or the taxes.

It is only my opinion but I think the rate hikes, both recent and proposed, are only the by product of a housing market downfall. The uncontrolled 150 - 200 percent increase of housing prices over the span of less than two decades creates instability where some profit greatly but most end up further behind. This was not helped by a mortgage system that allowed zero down long term mortgages to almost anyone. This, fortunately has been corrected somewhat.  
 
The rates hikes are simply messing with the band aid on the previously and carelessly created wound.

Any rate increase has to be approved the the Public Utilities Board and you have the right to object.  
This seems to be an excessive increase and the PUB has the power to reject or reduce it.

Maybe the mayor or Scott hammond isn't making enough money for his paycheck. Do we not get the water out of the river and make it drinkable and whatever. The water belongs to nobody but we have to pay for it.

phoenix said "Maybe the mayor or Scott hammond isn't making enough money for his paycheck. Do we not get the water out of the river and make it drinkable and whatever. The water belongs to nobody but we have to pay for it. "

Who in the heck is Scott Hammond???

...what ever term you wish but in the end it is another way of raising taxes.

Come on folks ! We are fortunate that we have good water. We do not have to boil it after treatment. This technology is not free, and requires upgrading from time to time.  
 
Maybe we should cut some costs and roll the Walkerton dice.  
 
You could always call the city and ask that they disconnect you from the water line. You could then save heaps of cash by collecting your own water.

standard standard h8r said "Come on folks ! We are fortunate that we have good water. We do not have to boil it after treatment. This technology is not free, and requires upgrading from time to time.     Maybe we should cut some costs and roll the Walkerton dice.     You could always call the city and ask that they disconnect you from the water line. You could then save heaps of cash by collecting your own water. "

I don't think people have a problem with increases......except when they are huge jumps. Sure costs go up but it should be budgeted accordingly. We all know that a government run operation doesn't run to it's full potential. People are tired of seeing this. I bet when gas goes up you don't shout for joy saying it is so wonderful to be able to drive to where you need to go. Why doesn't the city have money put aside for projects? I know in my house budget I have savings for auto and house repairs. At work we have budgets to replace equipment and building modifications/updates. We don't go to our customers and say that we re-insulated our roof so now we have to tack on extra to our product.