ATHABASCA — Higher water bills are a certainty for Athabasca residents in 2024 as the town takes steps to recoup income as the Aspen View Regional Water Services Commission adjusted municipal rates come into effect in 2024.
During the Dec. 5 regular meeting, councillors voted unanimously to pass both second and third readings of the new Utility Rate bylaw, which will amend the existing Utility bylaw.
“We’re getting charged more (for) water, and we have to reflect that in our rates,” said Coun. Ida Edwards. “This is the unfortunate result of the market costs we’re paying.”
Coun. Dave Pacholok, one of the towns two representatives on the Aspen Regional Water Services Commission said the increases are a way of recouping a portion of the town’s expected losses as a result of the switch from a multi-tiered rate to a one-rate system made in 2021.
“Looking forward, when we’re not going to be having any reimbursement from the commission, we’re going to have to swallow a big bunch of new money into our budgeting, so this is a way to possibly retain some of that money for future budgets.”
The increase equates to a five per cent rise in water rates. For homes that use around 40 m3 per 61-day billing cycle, that equates to approximate additional $10 for water alone. Sewer rates will also be affected by the increase and are calculated at 36 per cent of the base water rate. For 40 m3, the sewer rate increase would be approximately $4 per billing cycle.
Homes that use 20m3 per billing cycle can expect an approximate increase of $5 for water and roughly $3 for sewer.
Members at large appointed
The newly formed Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB) is one step closer to filling the unclaimed member at large positions needed for quorum after councillors gave the green light for four new applicants.
Councillors voted 7-0 to appoint Brenda Skayman, Heather Stocking, Chet Gilmore, and Elaine Leeuw to the appeal board as members at large for three-year terms. The bylaw establishing the board in partnership with Athabasca County and the Village of Boyle was given all three readings during the Sept. 19 council meeting.
Coun. Edie Yuill offered to recuse herself from the vote, given her relation to one of the four applicants being considered.
Mayor Rob Balay said if no financial gain to Yuill herself will come as a result of Stocking’s appointment to the board, no conflict of interest is present. “It’s good that you bring it up because then it’s addressed,” said Balay.
Coun. Ida Edwards did express concern if any of council’s decision appears in front of the appeal board, given Yuill and Stocking do reside together.
“We, in the past, have had a council member who was married to an SDAB member, and I did ask that question,” said town CAO Rachel Ramey. “They both have a duty to keep the information confidential, so no, there should not be a conflict.”
Ramey also noted the pair in question have the option of stating their relation and living situation at the top of any meeting in which they appear together, and any concerns can be addressed at those times.
As per the regulations laid out in the related bylaw, a quorum for the board would require three out of the pool of eight members at large. Ramey noted any future conflicts can be avoided by selecting any number of members without a potential for conflict of interest.
“You don’t want something like this triggering another appeal at a higher level, that would be my concern,” noted Edwards.
Letter of concern
One resident’s concerns over hospital staff burnout due to the increased demand on the emergency room in Athabasca were heard by councillors and will be allayed by the mayor himself.
“I am asking your assistance to look into the tremendous workload the physicians in the Athabasca are experiencing,” read Pat Kitto’s letter to council, sent Nov. 20. “Athabasca has now been turned into a regional ER facility without the staffing or bed staffing facilities.”
Kitto referenced the temporary emergency department closure ongoing in Boyle caused by staffing shortages, and short-term temporary closures in Lac La Biche due to gaps in physician coverage. He wrote his wife received excellent care during her recent stay at the Athabasca Healthcare Centre but said “It became quite obvious the situation was incredibly busy.”
Councillors voted unanimously to have Balay respond to Kitto with a letter of his own, detailing the range of support provided to the hospital staff in Athabasca, the towns efforts in advocacy for the hospital, as well as the changes expected, and projects being considered for the future.
“The things that we have been doing for the staff at the hospital have been greatly appreciated, we’ve heard lots of good feedback,” said Balay.
Boyle hospital is expected to re-open in the New Year following the arrival of two new nurses to the village, and regional interest in STARS helipad projects in Boyle and Athabasca have been renewed and will be discussed further during budget deliberations.
The Regional Healthcare Recruitment and Retention Committee, and the celebration of Athabasca University’s Nurse Practitioner program were also listed as notable efforts by councillors.
“The tone from Pat Kitto is very kind, and friendly, and understanding that there is a fatigue factor happening with the staff,” said Edwards.
She noted her intention to take the letter to the volunteer Lakeland Community Health Advisory Council, which accepts feedback and concerns voiced by locals regarding healthcare.
