Kamloops posted Nov 4, 2024 @ 06:00pm by Cheyanna Lorraine

Kamloops council will review 2025 utility rates this week

Kamloops residents will likely see an increase to several utility rates next year.

On Tuesday, city councillors will review 2025 utility rates and staff recommendations for increases.

The biggest rate increase is for water. Staff recommend a 15% increase, which would result in a $68 annual increase.

“These rate increases will support the water utility’s long-term sustainability while ensuring a cost-effective and reliable service for customers,” says a staff report.

Staff recommend the rate increase outlined in the table below, which aims to stabilize the anticipated annual rate increase at 3% by 2029.

<who> Photo Credit: City of Kamloops

According to the staff report, there would be a $25 increase for sewer, $24 for garbage collection and a $4 increase for recycling. No increase is recommended for organics collection.

That works out to a total increase of about $120 per household.

“Money generated by the utilities is used exclusively by the utility in which the revenue is generated,” the staff report said.

“In addition to budgeting for annual operating and capital costs, utility budgets include reserve funds, which are set aside to support asset management plans and the utility’s long-term planning needs and to be used in the event of unexpected emergencies.”

Kamloops City Council will review the proposed rates on Tuesday.

<who> Photo Credit: City of Kamloops