From the Mayor’s Desk

In January, our utility invoices for water and sewer were increased by 15%. This increase is the equivalent of $75.00 per year or $6.00 per month for a single-family household. At the same time, the early payment discount rate was decreased to 3% from 10% (the early discount was reduced due to lower interest rates set by the Bank of Canada). In addition, the town provided information that similar increases would occur for the next two years for sewer rates and the next four years for water rates.

For some, this is a hard pill to swallow. Unfortunately, tax increases are needed to ensure that our community continues to have clean water, as well as safe wastewater disposal. The current Town Council is looking to the future with its decision-making, ensuring that the town’s infrastructure will be property maintained.

Your Town Council is committed to achieving a balance between building and maintaining an efficient infrastructure, (roads, sewer and water), for now and in the future with enhancing our community for positive future economic development and growth.

Columbia Basin Water Smart Initiative is working with 19 communities throughout the Columbia Kootenay region, with Creston being one of these, to address water conservation at a local level. A group workshop will be held this month to determine how a community specific Water Smart Action Plan can be developed and implemented.

Did you know that in BC we use an average of 490 litres of water per person, per day? However, the Canadian average is 330 litres per day; this means a 35% reduction would only get our province down to the national average. Perhaps our local goal should be a 50% reduction from our current average daily usage of 490 litres, over the next five years?

In a related area, last month a special committee was struck to examine and explore options for bringing a composting and yard waste program to fruition. The hope is that the town can work with the local Regional Landfill Facility and create a functional program that will implement new ideas and technologies to reduce our waste and yard burning needs. Stay tuned and hopefully later this year, we will bring forward a plan to implement a program.

Ron Toyota is the Mayor of Creston
Phone: 250-428-2214
Email: Ron.Toyota@creston.ca
Website: www.creston.ca

...remember to pick up your copy of the I Love Creston magazine, available for free at most retailers in Creston!