Bentley Council Adds $240 Annual Fee to Utility Bills, Cites Aging Infrastructure
Bentley Town Council unanimously approved a new $20 monthly "Capital Replacement Fee" for water and sewer services Tuesday night. Council says the move is essential for long-term infrastructure health, but it drew criticism from residents worried about rising costs.
What This Means For Your Bill
Starting July 1, every utility account holder will see a new $10 charge for water and a $10 charge for sewer on their monthly bill, totaling a $240 annual increase.
According to a presentation by Finance Officer Cole Gibson, the funds will be placed in a restricted reserve, separate from the town's general operating budget. The money is designated specifically for replacing major components of the town’s aging water and sewer systems to prevent costly emergency failures in the future.
Residents Question Cost and Timing
Two residents spoke against the bylaw before the vote.
Sherri Kjellman voiced strong concerns about the financial impact, particularly for seniors and families on fixed incomes. "This is a significant increase on top of everything else going up," Kjellman told council. She questioned if the town had explored all other cost-saving options before adding the new fee.
Resident Don Willimont questioned the process. He asked why the fee was being implemented now and why a public information session wasn't held beforehand to explain the necessity to the community.
The Debate: Proactive vs. Reactive
Council defended the fee as a responsible financial decision.
Councillor Robin Lemay framed the choice as paying a small, predictable amount now or facing a much larger, unpredictable cost later. The fee is "necessary to avoid a massive tax hike or emergency borrowing when a major pipe breaks," she said.
Mayor Greg Rathjen acknowledged the residents' points but ultimately supported the administration's recommendation. "Proactive funding is more responsible than reactive crisis management," he stated before the vote.
Despite the public opposition, all seven members of council voted in favor of the bylaw.
Property Tax Rates Set for 2025
In other business, council passed the 2025 Tax Rate Bylaw, a routine but critical step in finalizing the town's annual budget. The residential mill rate is set at 9.8765 and the non-residential rate is 13.4567.
A separate bylaw for the supplementary assessment and taxation of mobile homes also passed unanimously and without debate.
What's Next
The new $20 utility fee will take effect on July 1, 2025, and will appear on the next billing cycle.
Property tax notices for 2025, reflecting the newly approved rates, are expected to be mailed to property owners in June.