Mayor Siscoe prefers to spread it out over longer period of time, easing taxpayer burden
A long-term plan is in the works for how St. Catharines fixes a backlog of decades old water infrastructure, such as for sewers and drinking water.
Mayor Mat Siscoe says city staff presented different time lines such as 10, 25 or 35 years.
City staff say the work is needed, while the mayor balances cost to taxpayers. "We know that we don't have to, the water system is still going to function. It may not function perfectly, but it still is going to function very well the way it has in the past. But, if we spread out the length of time that it takes to clear up that backlog of current issues, well, it costs less."
He said a 25 year plan comes with a 10% rate increase, something he says taxpayers cannot handle.
"We instructed staff to come back with a plan that looked at a 60 or 75 year timeline for the infrastructure backlog. I'm looking forward to when that comes forward, it should be a couple of months."
He adds city staff has to present what it comes up with to the provincial government.
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