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A proposed bylaw could increase Rossland water utility taxes by 10 per cent this year.

During a Feb. 3 meeting, Rossland councillors discussed a proposed increase to water parcel taxes for the year 2025 in an effort to make water services more sustainable.

Water parcel taxes are imposed by local government on a unit, frontage or area of a property. For example, if a water line is near a property and the property is not connected to that line, that property may still be responsible to pay a water parcel tax because it has the opportunity to connect.

The tax is in conjunction with the city's Utilities Master Plan, and would increase taxes from $172.33 annually to $189.56. This would add an additional $17.23 per property.

City staff explained that 50 per cent of Rossland's current water infrastructure, which is valued at $105 million, is in “poor” condition. The city needs $34.6 million in the next 10 years to maintain the system. The increase is projected to generate roughly $30,000 in additional revenue for the city’s water infrastructure.

Some alternatives were discussed during the meeting, such as delaying or modifying the proposed increase. Council has approved the first, second, and third readings of the proposed bylaw.

• The increase will be on the agenda for the next Rossland city council meeting scheduled for Feb.18.