After a busy few months through July to late October Hagensborg Water District Trustees have settled on a budget for 2018. In addition to regularly monthly meetings, trustees met for seven extra-ordinary committee of the whole meetings and with the help of CFO Wes Abel worked through a four step process to develop the budget for the coming year.
Trustees first brainstormed what it was they believed the purpose of the Hagensborg Water District to be settling on providing fire protection and providing potable water. With an eye to providing some relief to rate payers, trustees combed through the budget line by line making cuts where they felt cuts could safely be made without compromising the ability of the water district to fulfill its mandate.
Trustees are confident that rate payers will see the 2018 budget as a ‘needs’ budget meant to bridge the Water District between transitioning from the point of entry project to another type of treatment plan yet to be determined after consultation with both rate payers and Vancouver Coastal Health.
Just to give rate payers an idea of what to expect with rates this year, a typical house with one standpipe will pay approximately $476 next year. A single family dwelling will pay $426. A single family dwelling with an additional structure and two standpipes will pay approximately $801. Ratepayers with parcels of land that fall into categories B and C will pay nothing for water delivery this year. For more info on potential rates in 2018, please contact the staff at the Hagensborg Water District offices via phone or email. We hope to have this information on the website soon.
September saw trustees meet with Phil Muirhead from Vancouver Coastal Health. VCH remains supportive and patient with the Hagensborg Water District moving forward from the Point of Entry project to as yet undetermined water treatment system. Possible systems and regulations were discussed with Phil Muirhead including the possibilities of using UV and/or residual chlorine systems.
Before moving forward with any new potential treatment project, trustees will be consulting more with VCH and then presenting costed out options for rate payers to give voice to.