The Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce is calling on the city to reduce its planned four per cent hike to water and sewer rates to what it argues would be a more reasonable increase of 1.2 per cent.

The 1.2 per cent figure comes from the amount property owners would see their property tax bills rise by if the proposed operating budget is passed.

Chamber chair Stan Thompson was the only delegate to speak at Monday evening’s council meeting during the public input session on the city’s proposed $73-million 2017 operating budget.

Thompson described the 1.2 per cent hike for property taxes as an “admirable effort” to keep tax increases at a minimum while also keeping pace with inflation.

However, he argued, the city should look again at ways to bring the hike closer to 1.2 per cent.

The increase will be seen on utility bills, with water and sewer charges set to rise from $75.94 to $78.98 each month.

Even with the four per cent rate increase though, the budget proposes to put in another $477,000 from reserves to operating the water and sewer system.

Along with suggesting the city look at ways to pare the proposed water and sewer rates, Thompson encouraged council to work with the finance committee more in the future when budgets are being drafted. That would allow for more opportunities for feedback as spending plans are developed.

Thompson also asked for a summary on the city’s plans for the new operations building proposed off of Range Road near Two Mile Hill – including the anticipated operating costs.

The 2017 capital budget, worth about $46 million, has set aside $39.1 million for the majority of the work set to happen this year.

Another $1.5 million is outlined in the provisional budget for next year, when construction is set to be complete.

The cost to operate the new complex remains open to speculation.

As a previous staff report to council stated: “Ongoing operating costs of the operations building are not yet known.

“While the operating costs per square metre will decrease due to improved efficiencies, the building itself is larger than existing spaces due to the fact that the building is being built based on anticipated future space requirements (10-year projection).

“Administration continues to work with designers and architects to build and refine operating cost estimates with a goal of not exceeding current operating costs. As plans progress, council will be informed of the progress in this regard.”

A report will come forward to council on the public input session, with second and third readings then set to come forward later this month.