Cumberland residents can officially expect to pay for their water based on their consumption rates starting in August.
Cumberland council finally approved consumption-based water rates during its Monday meeting. Consumption-based rates include a fixed charge and a variable charge based on water consumption.
The fixed charge is $31 per quarter year for single-family residential, plus a uniform rate of $0.42 per cubic metre; the fixed charge is $27 per unit per quarter year for multi-family, plus a uniform rate of $0.44/m3; the fixed charge per quarter year is based on meter size (meter size charges range from $24 for 5/8 of an inch to $230.40 for six inches) for commercial, plus a uniform rate of $0.68/m3.
According to a past staff report, half of residential single-family customers will see a $15 or less increase in their water bill, half of multi-family customers will see a $2 or more decrease in their bill, and half of commercial customers will see a $35 or more decrease in their bill.
Residents will receive their final mock water bill in April, giving a full year of mock bills, before they receive their first real consumption-based water bill in August.
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Cumberland council voted to move forward with a street name sign replacement project, including the addition of some 'wayfinding' signs in the village.
Council had already allocated $10,000 from the downtown enhancement funds to improve street name signs in Cumberland.
Council voted to replace only those signs that are faded, incorporate an heritage area in the old part of Cumberland with unique heritage-style street name signs and have staff include wayfinding or guidance signs in the scope of the project.
According to a report by Village manager of operations Rob Crisfield, wayfinding signs would be located in key locations around the community to help direct visitors to Cumberland's assets.
"This signage is extremely beneficial to those visiting the community for the first time in search of a specific part or municipal facility such as Village Park, Comox Lake, the Cumberland Recreation Institute or Museum," writes Crisfield, noting these signs are referenced in the Cumberland Enhancement Study.
Village staff is expected to bring more details about the project before council at a later date.
writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com