Carbon co-sponsors AUMA resolution regarding water project funding
Their resolution brought to the AUMA is to “urge the Government of Alberta to provide equitable and consistent funding for regional waterlines throughout the province of Alberta.”
Mayor of Carbon Valorie Reed said the resolution comes from the villages’ experiences as part of the Kneehill Regional Water Services Commission. In their resolution, it states the commission only received about 20 per cent of the cost in grant assistance from the Alberta Government, while others have received as much as 90 per cent in funding.
She said members of the Kneehill Regional Water Services Commission have met with the Minister of Municipal Affairs, and from what she understands that was the funding available at the time.
“He basically said ‘that was what was available for funding, that was then, this is now,’” she said.
Currently, she said Carbon residents are paying in the area of $3.05 per cubic metre for water, while others along the line are paying in excess of $3.50- $3.70. This is not including service charges which she said they had to add to help pay for the deficit of Kneehill Regional Water Services Commission.
“The grant funding has not been set at a consistent percentage across the projects and is therefore not equitable to all municipalities associated with the construction, resulting in a large disparity in the rates charged by the commissions,” states the resolution.
This year, there are 19 resolutions being presented to the membership of the AUMA. The resolutions are to be debated during the AUMA Conference this week. These are local council passed resolutions which are forwarded to the AUMA to be debated. If it is successful, the majority of Alberta municipalities will endorse it.
“If they say yes, then the AUMA will take it and sort of go to bat for you and present it to the Alberta Government,” said Reed.