On March 21, 2023, the council of the City of Kingston approved the 2023-2024 operating and capital budgets for its municipally-owned utilities, which include water, wastewater and natural gas, and an appliance rental business.  

In addition, council approved the two-year rate schedules for water and wastewater rates, natural gas local distribution rates, and appliance rentals. 

Two-year operating budget

Council approved a two-year operating budget for the municipal utilities:

• The 2023 gross operating expenses for the four municipally-owned utility businesses are budgeted to increase 7.7 per cent or $2,933,000, over 2022.
• The 2024 gross operating expenses are budgeted to increase 4.7 per cent or $1,928,000, over 2023.

These increases are mainly a result of increased inflationary pressures.

For 2023-2024, council approved total operating budgets of $41.1 million and $43.1 million respectively. This operating budget includes the following:

In 2023: 

• $15,001,000 for water 
• $20,238,000 for wastewater 
• $5,116,000 for natural gas (excluding commodity charges)  
• $790,000 for the appliance rental business 

In 2024:

• $15,736,000 for water 
• $21,231,000 for wastewater 
• $5,282,000 for natural gas (excluding commodity charges)  
• $824,000 for the appliance rental business

Capital budgets for 2023-2024

For 2023-2024, council approved total capital budgets of $45.89 million and $53.3 million, respectively. This capital budget includes the following:

In 2023: 

• $17,806,000 for water 
• $19,018,000 for wastewater 
• $7,468,000 for natural gas (excluding commodity charges)  
• $1,600,000 for the appliance rental business 

In 2024: 

• $24,759,000 for water 
• $19,560,000 for wastewater 
• $7,358,000 for natural gas (excluding commodity charges)  
• $1,600,000 for the appliance rental business

The capital budget includes system investments for the following:

• Replacement, rehabilitation and expansion of water distribution pipes and equipment, to ensure the ongoing provision of safe, quality drinking water for customers and reliable water services for fire protection. ($15,155,000 in 2023/$21,860,000 in 2024)
• Replacement, rehabilitation and expansion of wastewater collection system pipes, to ensure the ongoing reliability of sewer services in our community. ($11,270,000 in 2023/$14,620,000  in 2024)
• Necessary improvements to natural gas mains, services and equipment, for the continued safety and integrity of the system. ($4,415,000 in 2023/$4,550,000 in 2024)

Impact on residential bills

In accordance with proposed rate schedules, council approved the following: 

• An adjustment to water and wastewater rates for 2023-2024.
• An adjustment to natural gas local distribution rates for 2023-2024.  
• Rate changes for the miscellaneous charges for water, sewer, and gas utilities and the appliance rental business.

Contact

For further information on municipal rates, contact Sherry Gibson, Manager, Revenue & Regulatory Affairs for Utilities Kingston by email or 613-546-1181, extension 2383. And, for information on appliance rental rates, contact Heather Smith, Supervisor Customer Care for Utilities Kingston by email or 613-546-1181, extension 2309.