The cost of delivering utilities in Red Deer is going up by two to five per cent in 2023 and 2024.
On Monday, Red Deer city council approved raising the rate of delivering electricity that powers the city’s street lights, traffic signals and electrical transmissions, as well as Red Deerians homes and businesses, by two per cent in 2023 and another two per cent in 2024.
This would bring in an additional $3.6 million into the electrical power capital and operating reserve. A typical customer would see an increase of $1.61 increase over last year’s bill.
City wastewater charges would go up by three per cent in 2023 and another three per cent in 2024. Council also approved a five per cent increase for 2023 in charges for the delivery of safe tap water that exceeds Canadian Drinking Water Standards. There will be an additional four per cent increase for 2024.
These water and wastewater fee hikes will bring an additional $4.5 million into the utilities reserve. A typical customer would pay $3.98 more over last year’s wastewater charges.
City council was told these increases were determined after a “fair and balanced market and consumer analysis” indicated Red Deer still remains competitive in the provision of utility services.
The city’s policy is to have citizens who benefit from these services contributing towards the cost of the service provision.
Red Deerians who want a paper copy of their utility bills sent out rather than being e-billed for the service will be charged an extra $1.30 per bill in the new year.
These new rates start in February.
