CREMONA – Village residents will no longer be paying a flat rate for their water consumption and wastewater usage.
Doug Lagore, the official administrator appointed by Municipal Affairs in the absence of council quorum, approved the municipality’s master rate bylaw on Wednesday, May 21 during a special meeting.
Per background information outlined in the meeting’s agenda package, new utility rates adopted in 2024 by the council of the day introduced a base rate of $25 for the first 10 cubic metres of water consumed after which each additional cubic metre would cost $3.50.
The base rate for wastewater produced was $17 for the first 10 cubic metres with each additional cubic metre used charged at $1.75.
That decision had prompted some residents to express concerns and council at the time had expressed an intent to revisit the matter.
“Residents have been complaining about the base rate,” said Lagore. “And so we’re going to change the rates to remove the base rate.”
Karen O’Connor, the village’s chief administrative officer, said the billing for water and wastewater charges will revert to residents paying for their usage.
Each cubic metre of water will cost $4 while each cubic metre of wastewater will be billed at $2.25, said O’Connor.
“The two went up 50 cents,” she said, adding the base rates of $25 and $17 will be removed from the bills.
“We wanted to do this for the June bill,” she said, adding that because residents are charged after their consumption of water, the new rates will appear on their July bill.
Meanwhile, the garbage fee will remain the same at $25 per month although purchasing a new garbage bin was revised under a cost-recovery approach at a fee of $250 plus GST, up from $75.
“A lot of people asked about an extra blue or black bin,” she added.
Residents who want another blue recycling or black garbage bin will be charged $10 per bin per month, while an additional green compost bin can also be requested for $10 a month from April 1 to October 30.
Lagore approved the updated master rate bylaw, which can be found in full by visiting the village’s website at www.cremona.ca.
Other items
Lagore also approved a recommendation by the auditor to transfer $351,002 from the capital reserve to the unrestricted reserve, which had been in a deficit.
“Auditors recommended that we transfer funds from the capital reserve to the unrestricted reserve to zero that out,” he said.
As well, Lagore approved sending a letter to the Cremona School’s grad committee extending appreciation for the invitation to attend the cap and gown ceremony and wishing the class of 2025 all the best in the future.
“Unfortunately, we can’t attend; I don’t think it’s appropriate for myself to attend,” he said.
With Canada Day fast approaching, Lagore also approved the creation of a staff-led committee to get involved in helping to organize the parade.
Last year, two councillors and their wives played a role in planning the annual parade. Residents who might be interested in participating are invited to apply to join the committee.
A follow-up request to close a portion of Highway 580 through the village on July 1 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. was also approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 p.m. and lasted fewer than 15 minutes.
Thanking those who attended, Lagore said, “I know these meetings are short, but I can’t debate these things with myself.”
