TAMRMS#: B06
10.3
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Bylaw 32/2024 Utility Bylaws (1st, 2nd, 3rd Readings)
Presented by: William Fletcher, Chief Administrative Officer
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
1. That Bylaw 32/2024 be read a first time.
2. That Bylaw 32/2024 be read a second time.
3. That unanimous consent be given for consideration of third reading of Bylaw 32/2024.
4. That Bylaw 32/2024 be read a third time.
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SUMMARY
This report presents Bylaw 32/2024 for all three readings on December 17, 2024, if Council so desires.
Bylaw 32/2024 is an omnibus bylaw that amends the Solid Waste, Water, Storm Sewer and Sanitary Sewer Bylaws, to allow new utility rates, fees and charges to be implemented on January 1, 2025.
Attached to this Report are copies of the relevant parts or Schedules of the four underlying utility bylaws as they will look if Bylaw 32/2024 is passed. Redlining has been used to highlight the amendments.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On June 4, 2024 Council passes the following motion:
PM 25-006
That the 2025 10 year Utility RMR Capital plan provided as an attachment to the June 4, 2024 agenda report be approved.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Each year, Council approves a utility operating budget to provide required resources to deliver its programs and services to the community and a utility capital budget to provide required resources to maintain existing infrastructure and to support future capital initiatives.
The 2025 Consolidated Utility Budget of $68,790,200
• 8 Utility RMR Capital projects in the amount of $15,068,700 approved in June
• 1 Utility Capital Growth project in the amount of $123,500 recommended for approval in December
• Utility operating budget in the amount of $54,598,000
The Utility budget results in an average utility bill increase of 7.2% from the prior year.
The City is charged for wastewater treatment based on the amount of water the City purchases. To ensure costs are recovered, the 2025 customer outdoor water service rate will increase to $3.90 per cubic meter (2023 rate was $3.70). The 2025 rate consists of a customer water consumption charge of $1.85 per cubic meter plus a wastewater treatment charge of $2.05 per cubic meter for the total rate of $3.90 per cubic meter. The 2025 outdoor water service rate ensures that the City is recovering the cost that is paid for both water and wastewater treatment.
The private hydrant inspection and testing fee will increase from $105 to $200 based on the following requirements:
1 hour per hydrant
1 Operator + 1 Laborer Utilities
1 Service Truck (1 Ton) per Alberta Heavy Roadbuilders
½ hour Supervisor time per hydrant per coordination of program
½ hour Office Admin time per hydrant for applicable files preparation, report issuance and accounts receivable time
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
N/A
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Approval of the 2025 Utility Operating Budget will result in n 7.2% increase in the average residential utility bill.
Compliance & Legal:
The Municipal Government Act provides that Council must adopt a utility operating and capital budget for each calendar year (ss.242 and 245).
From a process perspective, Bylaw 32/2024 should be passed after the 2025 budget is adopted by Council.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority #5: Financial Sustainability: ensure responsible and transparent fiscal management, decision making and long-term financial sustainability that allows the City to respond to changes to revenue sources.
ALIGNMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY
Financial:
Stewardship of development of annual operating and capital budgets for Municipal and Utility operations.
The approved operating and capital budgets shall serve as the financial plan for the City and provide Administration with the direction and resources necessary to accomplish Council’s strategic direction and Council approved services and service levels in accordance with the Services and Service Levels Inventory.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
N/A
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Report Date: December 17, 2024
Author(s): Terra Shmyr
Department: Financial and Strategic Services
Department Director: Anne Victoor
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: Bill Fletcher