Council OK's wastewater credit for Windsor homeowners
Mayor says unexpected water bill overages due to a 'data error on the back end'
In a unanimous show of support, Windsor city council has OK'd a reset of the city's new stormwater financial structure that was put into practice earlier this year.
The new approach was intended to save homeowners on their water bills by separating previous sewer surcharges into distinct wastewater and stormwater line items. Costs would be shifted over to commercial properties with large non-absorbent surfaces like big-box stores and parking lots.
But it hasn't entirely turned out that way since the program began.
According to Ward 1 Coun. Fred Francis, he's been getting "absolutely killed" with constituent complaints about higher water bills so far this year — describing the new financial system as a "work in progress."
"We all acknowledge that mistakes were made," said Francis on Monday.
Earlier this month during a news conference, Mayor Drew Dilkens vowed to "make this right" as it related to water billing.
During Monday's council session, Dilkens said there was no "ill intent" for the homeowner bill increases.
"It was literally a data error on the back end, that we have now course-corrected on," he said.
"We'll make sure that we fulfil our collective commitment ... that every residential homeowner in the city sees a decrease in their bill."
The city estimates around 37,000 residents in Windsor are paying more on their stormwater and wastewater bills — and they will see a 100 per cent credit.
During Monday's council session, the following items surrounding water billing were approved, but not limited to. It's highlighted by a credit to residential ratepayers described as a "transitionary rebate."
- A credit for residential wastewater customers who, because of low water usage, are seeing an increase to their monthly bills.
- A phased-in billing approach for all residential customers currently using a septic system for wastewater removal.
- A reduction to the annual charge for cemeteries, churches, and other designated places of worship.
- A one-time transitional credit for all non-residential and business property owners.
The reduction for cemeteries and places of worship is 60 per cent.
It was something Ward 6 Coun. Jo-Anne Gignac was happy to vote in favour of after realizing the new finance system didn't account for cemeteries.
"You know what? We're going to be taxed after we die," she said.
'This is simply not right'
The review was approved despite an appearance by property owner/developer Joe Mikhail.
Arguing on behalf of non-residential (commercial) ratepayers, Mikhail said half of the 200 tenants on his properties refuse to pay the increased fee — with around 20 per cent of them considering litigation.
"I'm going to see more people walking away," Mikhail argued.
"This simply is not right."
Mikhail shared a video of himself throwing a bucket of water on a commercial property that falls under the "impervious surface" definition under the new stormwater financing system.
"Some saturation," Mikhail said, showing the water on the surface.
"Some absorption."
With files by Dalson Chen, Bob Becken and Chris Ensing