North Bay city council to reduce water rate hike to 2.97%
North Bay city council is working to reduce the planned increase in water and wastewater rates for 2023.
After a long council deliberation Monday night, they aim to wrestle a 5.53 per cent hike down to 2.97 by using $825,000 in reserve funds.
"This is a short-term fix and to recognize there are hard times out there," said Mayor Peter Chirico.
"Reserves are put away for those rainy days … Right now we're in those rainy days when we take a look at the last couple of years with economic impact. COVID and then followed by runaway inflation."
Coun. Tanya Vrebosch is one of two councillors who voted against that idea. Vrebosch said using the reserve fund now would mean a bigger hike for taxpayers in the future.
"I don't play the percentage and perception game,” she said.
“A lot of (councillors), you could hear them saying ‘it has to be under three per cent, it has to be under three.’ I said what's the consequence and value to what they're saving and what are the unintended consequences of future years?”
While Vrebosch said she understands the concerns taxpayers have while feeling the pinch of current inflation, she fears in the long term the city could handcuff itself in future budget deliberations.
"Just over $2 savings per month for only this year will cost us over a million dollars,” she said.
“Next year when we don't have that $825,000 to put in the budget, you then have to wean yourself off."
Chirico is hopeful an upcoming operational review of city hall will find extra savings.
"We do expect to find some operational efficiencies through that which will help wean us off the reserves,” said the mayor.
“You can't stay on reserves forever."
A special committee will meet further Tuesday night on the water rates issue before it goes to a council meeting for a final vote and approval.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.