Residents can expect to pay utility bills semi-annually starting April 30 if council approves amendments to a billing bylaw at its next meeting.
Last Tuesday, council approved the first three readings for proposed amendments to the billing cycle for user fee bylaws pertaining to residential water works, sewer and garbage services.
The change would make it so utility bills for those services are split into two equal payments, one due April 30 and the other on October 31.
Bills paid within 30 days of the invoice pay the same fee, but after 30 days incur an increase of 10 per cent.
Deputy financial services manager Ben Currie told council splitting up the bill will alleviate the burden of paying the full year’s bill all at once and increase communication with residents by giving them an invoice in the spring and fall.
Currie told the Herald if the amendments are adopted on April 8, residents can expect their first utility bill at the end of the month totalling $340.46, due May 31.
Temporary Tim Hortons during renos
City council approved a development permit allowing the Merritt Tim Hortons to conduct renovations that will give the store the look of a cafe.
The company is spending $600,000 to make changes to its interior and exterior as part of its ‘maintenance’ program.
As the store undergoes renovations, a stationary trailer set up in its parking lot will provide customers with their coffee fix, though other products will be limited.
The renovations are scheduled to begin in September. The new look will include gooseneck lights, a stone facade, new canopies and smaller signage.
The changes are expected to take about six to eight weeks to complete.
