A town with nary a complaint

Port Edward, the land of unusual bliss. Local municipal officials in the District report that there has been no opposition mounted to a rise in taxes for the cost of water to the residents.

The new tax rates in Port Ed will be increased by five dollars a month, making the tax tab for water in the District to be 258 dollars per year. Perhaps the reason for the lack of outrage is a quick consultation with friends and acquaintances in Prince Rupert who pay 324 dollars per year for their water rates.

Making for a savings of 66 dollars a year for the laid back populace of the sunny side of the mountains.

The Daily news featured the tales of the dis-interested taxpayers in the Tuesday Daily News.

Port Ed rates water hike 'no big deal'
Municipality says there is no opposition to plan to raise cost to user
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Page one

Port Edward residents created barely a ripple over a district proposal to increase water rates.
Council members said they got little feedback on the new water rate structure, which includes a $5 increase per dwelling, per month.

"Since we talked about this at the last meeting, to my knowledge we have not had one person phone and ask why," said Ron Bedard, district administrator.

"I had one, but it went back to what we discussed when we put in our new water treatment plant - they would prefer that we were on meters and only pay for what they use," said Port Ed Mayor Dave MacDonald. "Overall, it wasn't a big deal, they just didn't want to be paying for others."

Coun. Ed Wampler also received two comments, one of which was from a new resident who noted "that is was a lot cheaper here than where he was.".

The district is increasing its water rates because of the cost of maintaining and operating its new water treatment facility.

The new facility was brought on line in 2004, turning what was some rather yellow water into the clear water residents now enjoy.

The new facility, which treats and filters water from Wolf Creek, cost more than three million dollars - with two million coming from the federal and provincial governments and one million from the district itself.

Port Edward residents have not seen increased water rates since 2002. despite losing the revenue that was generated by the Marine Harvest facility more than a year ago.

The commercial rate is also being increased by $/06 per cubic metre per month.

The district also updated the rates on all other categories within its bylaw, although it does not have businesses that fall in to those categories.

Council gave the bylaw its first three readings and is expected to give its final reading at its first December meeting.

The rates come into effect in 2008.

Residents in Port Edward now pay $258 per year for water, compared to $324 per year paid by residents in Prince Rupert.