KENSINGTON, P.E.I. — The Town of Kensington is looking to raise its water and sewer rates in 2021.
The current rates were approved five years ago by the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) and are due for adjustment. The rate change was discussed at the town’s recent committee of council meeting.
Councillors voted in favour of applying to IRAC for a six per cent per year increase for water rates, and a three per cent per year increase for sewer during a five-year period beginning January 2021.
Coun. Jeff Spencer asked if the rate increase would be enough to offset maintenance costs, noting the previous rate adjustment had under-estimated the cost of upkeep.
“We have budgeted more on maintenance,” said Kensington Mayor Rowan Caseley.
“We have also allowed for an increase in some of the capital projects.”
Chief administrative officer Geoff Baker added some capital expenditures were removed from the list to allow rates to stay low.
The increase will not cover the total deficit, but it’s getting closer, said Caseley.
The mayor hopes there will be some new users, perhaps in the town’s new business park, to add to revenues.
“Rather than putting a rate increase to cover it all,” said Caseley. “We want to be reasonable and fair. A lot of analysis went into it.”
Alison Jenkins is a local journalism initiative reporter, a position funded by the federal government.
