On March 21, 2023, the City of Kingston council approved the 2023-2024 operating and capital budgets for its municipally-owned utilities, which include water, wastewater, 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 adjustments to 2023 - 2024 rates for water and wastewater, natural gas distribution and miscellaneous charges for water, sewer, and gas utilities and the appliance rental business.

View rates

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.