The cost for water and sewer services will stay the same next year for Port Coquitlam property owners.
On Monday, city council gave three readings to the utility bylaws, keeping water levies at: $427 for owners of single-family homes, double that for homes with a secondary suite; $400 for townhouse owners; and $380 for condo owners.
For sewage, the 2015 rates are also unchanged at: $306 for single-family (double for houses with secondary suites); $287 for townhouses; and $272 for apartments.
But city staff expect to draw from the rate stabilization reserve in 2016 in order to keep utility charges low for PoCo homeowners. Currently, the city has $630,000 in its stabilization reserve and has budgeted another $80,000 for next year.
Water levies are expected to rise 38.2% over the next five years to pay for the region's capital program, which includes the Seymour/Capilano filtration plant and Fraser River Port Mann crossing and Annacis crossings.
Utility bills are to be mailed out in February, with payments due on March 31. The 50% discount will remain for eligible seniors in PoCo.
Other PoCo news:
A Port Coquitlam city councillor will run for one of two vacant seats with a national organization.
On Monday, council endorsed Coun. Glenn Pollock's bid to stand for election on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM) board of directors.
As the position requires city taxpayers' funding to attend meetings, a council resolution was required to allow Pollock to run.
The two FCM seats are open as a result of the B.C. incumbents losing their civic jobs in last month's municipal elections.
A decision will be made next month.
@jwarrenTC
