There’s a lot on tap for Greater Vernon’s water utility in 2016.
The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee approved a $19 million budget for the water utility during a special meeting Thursday.
“The projects presented are reasonable. We’re trying to replace old infrastructure,” said Juliette Cunningham.
The budget includes $5 million for new projects and $4 million for work carried over from 2015.
Among those moving ahead are replacing water meters, expanding dam capacity and extending the Kalamalka Lake intake.
Overall water rates are climbing two per cent, and Cunningham says that’s necessary given the scope of work required.
“It’s a big system and many parts of it are quite old,” she said.
Opposition to the water budget came from directors Bob Spiers and Gyula Kiss.
“I was reluctant to let it go without further study,” said Spiers. “We had no details until 8 a.m. (Thursday). We could have waited another week or two before making a decision.”
However, Spiers says his oppositon was more procedural than it was against the budget details.
“I didn’t see anything that should be thrown out but when there are 30 pages of figures, it should have more review,” he said.