BORDEN-CARLETON, P.E.I. — The 2019 auditor's report to the town of Borden-Carleton suggests the municipality increase its utility rates.
To do so, the town would first apply to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) for a rate review, councillors were told at the town's monthly meeting held on July 14.
“In our budget this year, you can see we are operating, at this point, at a relatively small deficit,” said Wendy MacIsaac, chief administrative officer for Borden-Carleton.
The last review was done in 2010, and utility rates haven’t increased since 2011.
Undertaking the study does not mean the town would have to raise the rates.
“The whole intent of it is to get a really current, accurate picture of your utility, in terms of where it stands in fiscal health,” said McIsaac.
"If you undertake small rate increases over a number of years, that’s much better for everybody. It’s much better for residents, than one large increase every 20 years.”
Mayor Charles MacKenzie agreed.
“We did that once.”
Council unanimously approved a rate study be done for the water and sewer utilities.
