Summerland utility rates are expected to rise in 2025.

At its meeting on Dec. 17, Summerland council passed first three readings of a pair of bylaws affecting utility rates in the community.

The increases work out to 6.51 per cent, or $207 a year or $17.25 a month for a typical single-family home in the community. 

The increases affect water, sewer and electrical rates. 

Water rates will rise by seven per cent, or $5.97 a month in 2025. This increase is for a three per cent asset management reserve contribution and a four per cent operational increase.

In addition, water utility rates will be increased by one per cent as of Sept. 1, to be included as an asset management reserve contribution.

In a report to council, David Svetlichny, director of finance for the municipality, said the Sept. 1 increase was delayed to provide some financial assistance to residents and agricultural water users during peak summer months.

Sewer rates will rise by 8.08 per cent. This includes two per cent as an asset management reserve contribution and 6.08 per cent as an operational increase. 

For a typical home in the community, the cost works out to $2.97 a month.

Electrical rates will increase by 5.66 per cent. This includes a one per cent asset management reserve contribution and a 4.66 per cent operational increase.

The electrical costs for a typical home in Summerland are expected to increase by $8.31 a month.

While the utility rates are the most significant increases for 2025, they are not the only costs to increase in 2025.

Curbside garbage and food waste collection rates will increase by $1.18 a month. This increase is expected to generate around $63,380 in additional revenue for the municipality, to offset increasing costs of collection.

Building permit fees have increased to $12 for every $1,000 of construction value for projects with no coordinating professional. For projects with a coordinating professional, such as an architect or engineer, the cost will be $10 for every $1,000 of construction value. 

The building permit fees are expected to bring in an additional $75,000 in permit revenues in 2025.

In 2023, building permits issued by Summerland brought in $501,835 in revenue. The revenue from building permits issued in 2024 is not yet available, as the year has not concluded.

Dog licenses will increase by $5 for spayed or neutered dogs and $10 for unspayed and unneutered dogs. This is expected to bring in $5,000 in additional revenue.