About 80 residents of Thompson turned up at the Letkemann Theatre in R.D. Parker Collegiate on the evening of Feb. 23 to discuss council's proposed increase of the property dig rate for water breaks for the third time in less than a year.
At a meeting of Thompson's city council on Feb. 1, a resolution to amend the city's fees and fines schedule to increase cost recovery for work on private property through an increase from $1,000 to $2,000 was tabled. Last April, city council passed the 2009 fees and fines schedule, and at the time moved the fee for a property dig from $250 to $500. Last October, council approved the 2010 fee and fine schedule and went from $500 to $1,000 with a start date of Jan. 1. Council tabled the new resolution to allow council and city administration more time to discuss what to do with the situation.
During the public meeting at the Letkemann Theatre, many prominent individuals in the community came forward to share their point of view on the proposed increase.
Wayne Hall, owner of Wayne Hall Delivery Ltd. and member of the Rotary Park Development Association, has been living in Thompson for 49 years. He says the issue is nothing new to the city of Thompson and urged council to continue with the system previous councils have put in place.
"Thirteen years ago we had a meeting in city hall that was standing room only, and we dealt with this very point," he says. "At that meeting it was unanimously agreed by all in attendance that the best way to go was to add a few dollars to our taxes across the board and we'll all pay for those unfortunate enough to have a water break on their service line."
Hall says Thompson is a unique city that is getting older, with many retired or low-income people not able to pay $2,000.
"There are a lot more people in Thompson right now like myself, retired, who have been here most of their lives. We want to continue to live here, and we want to continue to live in our own homes," he explains. "A small amount on my taxes every year is not going to hurt me, and if I never have a service break on my property, that's fantastic, I'm the lucky one. But if one of my neighbours do, I don't want to see them have to sell their home because they can't afford to pay the extra fee. Let's remain a friendly city, and let's help one another."
Lyle Miller, owner of Miller the Mover Ltd., who has been living in Thompson since 1973, challenged council to look at their expenses.
"Rather than just coming to the ratepayer all the time looking for ever increasing amounts of money, I challenge you to look at how you're doing the operations, how you're fixing things," he says.
The potential $2,000 charge council is contemplating would be applicable to the service that is allocated to the private property of an individual, with city crews identifying which line is a storm, sanitary and water line. Any lines that the city provides service to the property for, such as water mains, would be covered by the city of Thompson, while the homeowner would be responsible for any line that goes to and from his or her home. If a service break occurs, the owner is responsible for restoration of their driveway and privately-owned sidewalks. The city would replace the broken material and backfill and provide lawn enclosure at a dig fee that council has yet to agree upon.
Mayor Tim Johnston says council will consider the opinions they heard at the public meeting and make a decision that will come out with the budget in the next month.
