The city wants to hear from Penticton residents in its review of utility rates, through a new survey launched on the city’s engagement website.
In a news release, engagement officer JoAnne Kleb said the city does regular reviews of the utility rates, but wanted to reach out to the community on this year’s review.
“Staff are taking the added step of involving the community to ensure customer interests are more fully represented in the review,” Kleb said.
The review is seeking to determine rates that would mitigate the impact on customers and also properly fund the utilities and help to maintain the infrastructure, the city said. City hall will review rates for water, electrical, sanitary sewer and agricultural water utilities and will look at other communities for reference.
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The city release comes on the heels of another release last week, in which the city noted at least one customer was being over-billed for electricity due to an error in the system.
The city said it hopes to complete the review in time for the 2019 budget process.
The city will also be seeking guidance on the issue from a task force set up to represent customers, which includes residential, agriculture, commercial and industrial property owners.
Feedback will be open until April 3 on the city’s Shape Your City engagement site, and it comes with a chance to win up to $200 toward your May 2018 utility bill.
Paper copies of the survey are also available at city hall.