Council approves budgets, rates for municipal utilities
On March 21, 2023, the council of the City of Kingston approved the 2023-2024 operating and capital budgets for its municipally-owned utilities, which include water, wastewater and natural gas, and an appliance rental business.
In addition, council approved the two-year rate schedules for water and wastewater rates, natural gas local distribution rates, and appliance rentals.
Two-year operating budget
Council approved a two-year operating budget for the municipal utilities:
- The 2023 gross operating expenses for the four municipally-owned utility businesses are budgeted to increase 7.7 per cent or $2,933,000, over 2022.
- The 2024 gross operating expenses are budgeted to increase 4.7 per cent or $1,928,000, over 2023.
These increases are mainly a result of increased inflationary pressures.
For 2023-2024, council approved total operating budgets of $41.1 million and $43.1 million respectively. This operating budget includes the following:
In 2023:
- $15,001,000 for water
- $20,238,000 for wastewater
- $5,116,000 for natural gas (excluding commodity charges)
- $790,000 for the appliance rental business
In 2024:
- $15,736,000 for water
- $21,231,000 for wastewater
- $5,282,000 for natural gas (excluding commodity charges)
- $824,000 for the appliance rental business
Capital budgets for 2023-2024
For 2023-2024, council approved total capital budgets of $45.89 million and $53.3 million, respectively. This capital budget includes the following:
In 2023:
- $17,806,000 for water
- $19,018,000 for wastewater
- $7,468,000 for natural gas (excluding commodity charges)
- $1,600,000 for the appliance rental business
In 2024:
- $24,759,000 for water
- $19,560,000 for wastewater
- $7,358,000 for natural gas (excluding commodity charges)
- $1,600,000 for the appliance rental business
The capital budget includes system investments for the following:
- Replacement, rehabilitation and expansion of water distribution pipes and equipment, to ensure the ongoing provision of safe, quality drinking water for customers and reliable water services for fire protection. ($15,155,000 in 2023/$21,860,000 in 2024)
- Replacement, rehabilitation and expansion of wastewater collection system pipes, to ensure the ongoing reliability of sewer services in our community. ($11,270,000 in 2023/$14,620,000 in 2024)
- Necessary improvements to natural gas mains, services and equipment, for the continued safety and integrity of the system. ($4,415,000 in 2023/$4,550,000 in 2024)
Impact on residential bills
In accordance with proposed rate schedules, council approved the following:
- An adjustment to water and wastewater rates for 2023-2024.
- An adjustment to natural gas local distribution rates for 2023-2024.
- Rate changes for the miscellaneous charges for water, sewer, and gas utilities and the appliance rental business.
Contact
For further information on municipal rates, contact Sherry Gibson, Manager, Revenue & Regulatory Affairs for Utilities Kingston by email or 613-546-1181, extension 2383. And, for information on appliance rental rates, contact Heather Smith, Supervisor Customer Care for Utilities Kingston by email or 613-546-1181, extension 2309.