An open house information session, allowed High River residents to voice their opinions on water utility rates on Thursday, August 9 at Town Hall.

The rates affected by the change are water, wastewater and storm water utilities, and the information session aimed to give residents a chance to voice their concerns, gather information on how their personal property expenses might be changed, and give their opinions on the matter.

High River Chief Financial Officer Kola Oladimeji says, so far the reception to the changes have been favorable to the public.

"Both homeowners and business owners alike attended the session today, they asked a few questions about the implication to their properties, which we were able to give to them, and from the discussions I had today, they are quite pleased."

Oladimeji says the water utility changes are aimed at making fees more scalable to what property owners use, as opposed to charging a flat rate.

"Essentially the new rates are to simplify the process, and to make things more equitable and fair to the users based on what they consume now. So some owners might see their rates go up slightly, and others might see their rates go down, based on what they use."

The discussion is not over yet, as the Town will hold another session on Thursday, August 16 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Town Office.

 

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