Single-family homeowners in Port Moody could end up paying 9.5% more for their utilities next year, while owners in multi-family dwellings may see a 1.5% decrease, according to preliminary figures in a draft utilities financial plan presented to the city’s finance committee on Tuesday.
According to the proposed plan, which covers 2018 to 2022, owners of single-family homes in Port Moody would pay $1,174 next year for water and sewer services, as well as sanitation collection that also includes recycling of green waste and glass. That goes up to $1,283 by 2022, said the document.
Owners of townhomes in complexes with curbside waste collection could pay $1,023 next year — a 4.5% increase over 2017 — and $1,116 by 2022.
The draft utilities financial plan also stated that apartment and condo owners whose waste is collected from a centralized location will pay $895 in 2018 — down from $909 this year — and $971 by the end of the plan.
If the new rates receive final approval, they will generate $681,800 more in revenue next year. Almost a third of that — $210,900 — will go to Metro Vancouver to cover anticipated increases in regional water charges, as well as sewage and drainage levies. The city will also buy a new solid waste vehicle to increase its fleet to five.
The proposed increases place Port Moody’ single-family homeowners’ utility fees about midway between Lower Mainland communities. Homeowners in Chilliwack paid $714 for their utilities this year, while those in West Vancouver were billed $1,811.
