North Bay, ON – Jan. 18, 2023 – North Bay City Council has approved the 2023 water and wastewater operating budget in the net amount of $24.9 million.
The 2023 budget provides for the ongoing treatment and delivery of water and wastewater services, including regulatory compliance and continued investment in infrastructure renewal and replacement.
The average annual residential bill in 2023 will be $1,082.28 for a household consuming 168 cubic metres of water annually, representing an increase of $2.86 monthly.
Recognizing challenges related to inflation and other economic pressures and with affordability for ratepayers in mind, North Bay City Council opted this year to utilize $825,000 in capital reserves to help reach a budget increase of $721,092, or 2.97 per cent.
“Through the use of reserves, this budget offers ratepayers some relief, while ensuring that we provide our community with clean, safe drinking water and that we continue to invest in critical infrastructure,” said Deputy Mayor and Budget Chief Maggie Horsfield.
In an effort to identify future efficiencies, City Council has also committed to a review of operations and financing policies.
Additionally, City Council has directed staff to undertake a review of the water and wastewater rate structure with the goal of moving toward a model of billing that’s based even more on usage.
For 2023, the water and wastewater rate structure will remain at 50 per cent fixed and 50 per cent variable.
Key Facts:
- Total 2023 water and wastewater operating budget of $24.9 million, is an increase $721,092, or 2.97 per cent, compared to 2022.
- The budget supports maintenance and needed updates to aging infrastructure including replacement of the intake chamber at the Wastewater Treatment Plant along with other upgrades to the facility.
- The budget reflects significant inflationary increases to the cost of chemicals, fuel, utilities, insurance, etc.
Quick Facts:
- Municipal water and wastewater services are funded by end users as mandated by the province.
- There are approximately 16,600 water/wastewater customers in the community.
- The City is responsible for more than 574 kilometres of water (304) and wastewater (270) mains, the operations of the wastewater treatment facility on Memorial Drive and water treatment plant on Lakeside Drive, 17 sewage lift stations.
For more information about the 2023 budget process, please visit: https://www.northbay.ca/projects/budget-2023/
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