Penticton city council will have several discussions on electricity and one on a new distillery at tonight's council meeting.
(SHANNON QUESNEL / iNFOnews.ca)
December 02, 2013 - 9:09 AM
PENTICTON - Electricity rate increases will surely generate some heat during the city's budget season. The municipality will be running a $979,000 deficit if council continues with their zero per cent tax increase policy for 2014.
At tonight's council meeting the deficit plus higher power bills have the potential to electrify the discussion.
Fortis B.C. and B.C. Hydro increases caused staff to generate options for council to consider, either a 3.28, 4.03 or a 4.78 per cent increase. The increases to customers follows the increases in cost to the city as Fortis B.C. and B.C. Hydro are raising their rates.
Speaking of jolting conversation topics, council will be asking for a request for proposals for those interested in building two car charging stations. Sun Country Highway wants a place to install its car charging equipment and came to the city looking for possibilities.
And Fortis B.C. wants $4.9 million to upgrade its Westminster Avenue substation transformer system. The operation will increase system security by being able to handle a higher load and being more flexible in cases of emergency.
Rising bills and upgrades are not the only things for council tonight. City leadership will consider varying zoning rules to allow a professional medical building on 1496 Balfour St. and a craft distillery and tasting area for the Best Damn Sports Bar on Martin Street. The applicant wants to convert 2,900 square feet of the existing building.
For more on the agenda and to follow the meeting online head to the city's website.
To contact a reporter for this story, to send photos or videos, email Shannon Quesnel at squesnel@infotelnews.ca, call 250-488-3065, send tweets to @shannonquesnel1 or @InfoNewsPentict.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013