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Penticton  

School board seeks utility relief

School District 67 is looking for relief from rising utility rates.

District representatives gave a presentation on rising electrical rates and their impact on education at a special meeting of Penticton council and trustees on Monday.

The electrical rates were among several issues looked at during the joint meeting.

"It is just an expense to find within their budget," said Mayor Andrew Jakubeit. "They realize 2015 is not an option, but we are looking at 2016 and how we can help them."

The city will see a 4.4 per cent rate hike in 2015, set to take effect Feb. 1

Jakubeit advised those at the meeting that a staff report coming in February will look at a utility rate review.

The mayor said the district and trustees also agreed on the use of reclaimed water for sports field irrigation at three school district locations: Parkway Elementary, Skaha Lake Middle School and Princess Margaret Secondary School.

"We already have a pipe that would go right to the doorstep of those three locations, and that would save the district $24,000 a year," he said. "So that is a big win for them."

A joint services agreement was discussed, including sports field use, as well as school gymnasiums, come election time.

It is the mayor's hope that these meetings take place on a more regular basis.

"It has been almost three years since the last school board and council meeting," he said. "We want to have better meetings and dialogue with the mayor, board chair, superintendent and CEO, so we can work collaboratively and collectively together."



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