by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — Water rates in Cobden and Beachburg are increasing while there is no increase for the Haley townsite residents.
Wastewater rates are also rising in Cobden.
Council-in-committee reviewed the proposed water budget last month and the proposed wastewater budget during last night’s meeting.
The proposed expenses for Cobden water are $448,426. The proposed revenue is $396,577 and a transfer from reserves of $51,749, which balances the budget with a three percent increase.
The proposed expenses and revenue for Beachburg water total $330,048, with a one percent rate to balance the budget.
For residential Cobden water users, a residential quarterly bill will increase to $178.52 from $173.32.
There are 379 residential units; 29 small commercial units; 16 medium commercial units; 9 high commercial units; 21 multi-residential units and three metred units.
For residential Beachburg water users, a residential quarterly bill increases to $164.15 from $162.52.
There are 410 residential units; 17 small commercial units; 7 medium commercial units; 4 high commercial units and 10 multi-residential units.
Haley expenses and proposed revenues total $57,727 and residents will continue to pay $439.59 each quarter. There are 33 residential units.
Highlights from the water budget show that the 2016 Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA – which looks after the water and waste water plants), came in at $394,756.89. Cobden pays 49 percent of the bill, Beachburg pays 47.5 percent of the bill and Haley picks up the final 3.5 percent.
For 2017, OCWA expenses are budgeted for $476,234. Using the same percentages for 2017 as in 2016, Cobden will pay $233,355; Beachburg, $226,211 and Haley, $16,668.
Major expenses for 2017 total $61,450, which includes work at the three plants. The building repairs and maintenance budget has been set at $12,000; and transmission miscellaneous is $12,500.
One capital project is scheduled for Cobden and that is $51,749 for True Love project, equal to one-third the cost of the total project. This money is expected to come out of the Cobden Water Reserves.
Public Meeting on Water Rates
Wayne Heubner, owner of Fraser, Morris and Heubner Funeral Home, is hoping his plea for lower water rates was heard by council.
He spoke at last night’s public meeting on water rates. He provided statistics that show while funeral numbers remain the same, cremation is becoming more popular, so his revenue is decreasing while his expenses continue to increase. He noted between 2010 and 2016, there were 324 funerals and of those, 96 did not use the funeral home.
He noted only two-thirds of the township residents use his funeral home, with Westmeath and La Passe residents going to Pembroke.
“This could be the last funeral home in Whitewater Region,” Mr. Heubner said. “In 20 to 30 years, this home could shut down. Cremation is on the rise and there is no profit in that.”
Mr. Heubner noted after requesting a water meter be installed in his home/business for the past 20 years, he had one installed on April 25 and in one week’s time only used 881 gallons of water. He noted he is looking “for some form of help.”
Councillor Charlene Jackson noted the average home uses somewhere between 3,000 gallons and 4,000 gallons of water a month, so he’s just in the below-average range.
Using calculations provided by the treasurer, Councillor Chris Olmstead noted Mr. Heubner is requesting a decrease of $344 a year.
In talking about the meter, Coun. Jackson had a few questions, such as who inspected the meter once it was installed; who read the meter; is there a charge to have the meter read.
Acting Physical Services Manager Steve Hodson noted he reads the meters, of which there are only four within Cobden.
There was some discussion as to whether there is a base cost for the water meter users and then whatever is used over that amount is charged. However, in Cobden, only the cost for the amount of water is charged.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin and CAO Tremblay each agreed there are several issues to be discussed regarding the water.
“The whole thing has to balance,” Coun. McLaughlin said. “If we decrease one person’s bill, we have to increase someone elses.
“Let’s take Mr. Heubner’s request forward and look at everything.”
Mayor Hal Johnson noted the water has to be paid for by the people who use it.
Proposed Sewer Budget
The council-in-committee agreed to recommend to council there be a five percent increase for waste water (sewer) in Cobden following a discussion at last night’s council-in-committee meeting.
The total expenses for 2017 are projected to be $427,530, which is more than the actual budget of $403,085 for 2016.
Treasurer Marsha Hawthorne prepared projected rates increase of one, three and five percent.
Following a brief discussion, it was agreed to go with the five percent increase, which is a quarterly increase of $9.58, or a yearly increase of $38.32, on the residential rate.
She said in 2016, the wastewater increase was 12.8 percent, but noted between 204 and 2010 there was no increase.
