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Changes to Rossland utilities rates postponed

The City of Rossland is postponing its plans to increase the water and sewer rates.

The City of Rossland announced late Sunday night that it will postpone its plans to change water and sewer rates starting Jan. 1, 2016.

The proposed changes were the result of a consultation and were meant to address “a long history of underinvestment in Rossland’s water and sewer infrastructure.”

According to the press release, city council had identified problems with the new rate structure even before they sent it out for public consultation.

“The consultants' recommendation might work in a large metropolis but looking at the specific impacts on Rossland, Council isn’t convinced that these unchartered waters were the right approach for the City,” it said in the release.

City council will continue to review the water and sewer rates, but on a more relaxed timeline.

Council has decided that basing the new rates on pipe size may not “provide the equitable solution council was looking for,” and instead consumption will most likely end up being the major factor in determining the new rates.

The pubic meeting scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Seniors' Hall will continue as planned, giving Rosslanders a chance to ask questions and offer input.