Red Deer residents may soon have more control over their utility bills.
City council gave first reading on Monday to a proposed utility bylaw amendment that would better link the amount of water and wastewater a customer uses with the amount they pay.
Currently, customers are charged by multiplying the usage by a rate (usage charge) and adding a fixed meter charge.
The fixed meter charge is based on a set amount per month depending on the size of a customer’s meter, and helps cover the cost of installing, maintaining and repairing city-owned utility infrastructure.
The bylaw will come back for consideration of second and third readings on Oct. 15. If approved the bylaw could come into effect on Jan. 1, 2013.
Changes would be introduced gradually over the next five years.