Fernie Council gives first, second, and third readings to proposed amendments to the sewer connection fee: A new flat rate of $550 per service.

Fernie Council has given first, second, and third readings to proposed amendments to the sewer connection and user fee bylaws during a council meeting on Tuesday (August 25). The changes would set service connection fees at a flat rate of $550 per service.

When a landowner or homeowner wishes to add a set of services to a residential lot, they use the process outlined in the Water Connection and User Charge Bylaw and the Sewer Connection and User Charge Bylaw.

This amendment is specific to the New Service Installation process only, where the current Bylaw requires applicants to pay a $400 connection fee.

The current bylaw outlines the following process that occurs to facilitate the work:

• Charge an initial $400 connection fee (administration fee)
• Prepare a quote for the work required. If necessary, obtaining a quote from a City of Fernie-approved contractor will be part of this step.
• Provide quote to ratepayer – this will include a 15 per cent administration fee
• Ratepayer provides OK to commence work
• Work is completed
• If necessary, obtain an invoice from the contractor from step 2 above
• Charge the ratepayer for all work, factoring in the $400 fee from Step 1 above

The current 15 per cent administrative fee means residents with higher-cost installations pay a higher administrative fee.

Administrative fees on service installations have averaged $1222 per service and ranged between $580 and $2029 over the last two years.

City staff proposed revising the process and bylaw to make service installation charges more equitable across projects and used hourly rates to estimate the cost of staff time.

The proposal is a flat administrative fee of $550 per service, whether water, wastewater, or storm.

This administrative fee would include the work previously covered by the connection fee, and the existing connection fee would be removed.

Staff say the proposed fee is accurate and fair based on the City’s current process and costs, and is reasonable when compared with fees and practices in other communities.

To read the full City staff report, click here.