Property owners in Port Coquitlam will likely be paying the same amount in water and sewer rates next year.
The city's finance committee on Monday gave preliminary approval for the 2016 levies to stay flat at:
• $427 for a single-family dwelling;
• $427 for a secondary suite;
• $400 for a townhouse;
• and $380 for an apartment.
The proposed bylaw is set to go to city council on Nov. 23 for discussion. Once approved, utility bills will be mailed out in February for the March 31 payment deadline.
Meanwhile, the committee also asked city staff to provide more information on its request for $20,000 to fund a public outreach campaign that would educate property owners about solid waste disposal and water conservation.
Last summer, the city spent $10,000 to hire two water ambassadors to warn residents about excessive water usage while the Stage 3 restrictions were in place.
"Staff feel the ambassadors made a positive impact give the low re-offence rates that were experienced," city managers wrote.
Other PoCo news:
Port Coquitlam is expected to join the call for a national pharmacare strategy.
On Monday, the city's finance committee backed a campaign by the Canadian Doctors for Medicare to provide affordable medicine to all Canadians.
The resolution will be brought forward at the Nov. 23 council meeting.
At least three other B.C. municipalities — including Burnaby — have put their stamp on the resolution that urges the provincial and federal governments to start a national pharmacare program as an extension of Medicare.
PoCo's draft resolution states that more than three million Canadians don't take their prescribed medicine because they can't afford it.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
