A report on sewer and water rates in the City of Kenora isn’t sitting well with all members of council.
Councillor Barb Manson says the report calls for a one-time increase in industrial rates in 2027, and she feels the increase is too much.
“I under the Sewer and Water department has to be self-sufficient,” Manson told council at its Committee of the Whole meeting.
“I didn’t know water was as expensive as gold! The glaring increase in 2027 for Large Commercial at 59.8 per cent, to me, is not reasonable. It’s excessive.”
Mayor Andrew Poirier also feels the increase for Large Commercial in 2027 will hinder investment in the city.
“It is going to stymie and stifle, and that’s what I’m getting from people coming in and talking to me. It isn’t word on the street or whatever. This is actual people that lay cash on the table to do things, and they are very concerned about this report.”
On the other hand, residents in multi-residential housing units like apartments or condos could see their sewer and water rates decline by as much as 32.6 per cent in 2027.
