During a recent council meeting, officials discussed the necessity of raising utility rates to address significant infrastructure backlogs and ensure the sustainability of essential services. Council members expressed their reluctance to impose these increases, acknowledging the direct impact on residents but emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility.

The meeting highlighted a backlog in both sewer and water infrastructure, with plans to increase investment over the next three years to alleviate these issues within five years. Council Member Rutt confirmed that stormwater infrastructure is included in the sewer evaluation, although water quality ponds are not part of the current backlog figures. A budget request for the upcoming year aims to assess the condition of these ponds to formulate a cost-effective management plan.

The council also discussed the introduction of a flat rate for stormwater services, similar to existing sewer charges based on average winter consumption. This change aims to stabilize revenue and cover fixed costs, with an anticipated 4% increase in tap fees to align with inflation.

Council Member Wynne raised concerns about the absence of a stormwater fund in the past, noting that previous councils opted to absorb costs into the sewer budget. The current proposal aims to rectify this oversight, as failure to increase rates could lead to severe consequences, including the inability to bond for major projects and potential halting of new development due to inadequate infrastructure.

The meeting concluded with discussions on cybersecurity measures for water systems and the need for ongoing evaluations to prepare for extreme weather events. Council members recognized the urgency of these infrastructure improvements, agreeing that delaying action would jeopardize the community's long-term sustainability.