Town of Oliver Council sat, in committee, for four hours yesterday to set water and utility rates – so that a bylaw on fees and charges can be passed before the end of the year.

Two members of the public attended the open session advertised to attract participation.

Staff at the Town proposed a O (zero) increase in rates for the 2014 sewer budget and council accepted that easily.

That budget proposes revenue of 1.032 Million Dollars with expenditures  matching that revenue – as both utilities operate on a revenue neutral model – with rates set to recover the cost of the service.

In the water utility – a larger system from McIntrye Bluff to Road 22nd – with two rural water councillors the job of getting agreement a bit more difficult.

Debate, cost cutting, argument, discussion taking up much of the 4 hour session. The final result will come next Monday will staff have crunched a few more numbers but the net result will be an increase in the overall budget of 1% in all existing water rates.

The budget proposed was for revenue of 2.509 Million Dollars – but has been reduced with a final figure to be given next week.

On the contentious water rate for rural properties larger than a half acre – (non-farm irrigation) – the rate will remain the same or increase by 1% with the 143 owners being given the option of installing a meter and getting a rate 10 percent less than the domestic rate. Councillors will have a last kick at the can – at a televised meeting – to state their case.