The first utility bills for 2021 will be issued today, and Chestermere City Council has approved the use of a provincial grant so that residents will not experience an increase to their rates this year. 

While a 2% increase to 2021 rates (approximately $2.83 per month per homeowner) was necessary to help with increased inflation costs, City Council approved using a COVID-19 relief grant to offset that increase in a decision made last November. That decision has meant that since Council cut water services utility rates by 8% in 2019, the rates have remained steady. 

“We recognize that this has been a tough year for our community,” says Mayor Chalmers. “This Council has been committed to cutting taxes, reducing red tape and sorting out utility issues. By putting the COVID-19 grant towards utility rates, we have delivered on that commitment again.”

The slight increase to the rates will be shown on the bills coming out this week, but residents will also see a ‘COVID Relief’ line that indicates the grant contribution that will covers that increase.

“The grant is offered by the province to help offset operating costs specifically related to the pandemic and so we are able to portion some of that grant to help offset utility rate changes and directly support residents in our community,” says Bernie Morton, the City’s Chief Administrative Officer. 

Residents may still experience varied utility bills due to the amount of water and wastewater used, but rates will remain steady until the end of the year. 

To sign up for e-billing for your utility bills, visit www.chestermere.ca/ebilling.