Dear Mayor and Members of Council:

On March 14, 2000, the Citizens' Advisory Group on Property Taxation met to review the proposed sewer utility. On behalf of the members of the group, I would like to forward two recommendations regarding the implementation of the sewer utility charges. The group recommends the following:

THAT the Citizens' Advisory Group on Property Taxation recommends that Council proceed with a phased-in implementation of the consumption based portion of the Sewer Utility Charge in 2000.

THAT the Citizens' Advisory Group on Property Taxation recommends that Council provide unmetered property owners the choice to install water meters, at the property owners' expense, and be billed appropriately.

The Citizens' Advisory Group on Property Taxation recognizes the proposed charges, which are based on the consumption portion of the sanitary sewer system, are fair estimates of system usage, and so recommends the phased-in implementation of the charge in 2000.

The group also recommends that owners of unmetered properties (most residential properties are unmetered) be provided an opportunity to install a water meter, at the property owner's expense, and then pay consumption charges instead of the flat rate charge. This would provide residential property owners the opportunity to influence their sewer user charges.

We look forward to continuing to be of service to you and the citizens of Vancouver.

Yours very truly,

Afton H. Cayford
Chair, Citizens' Advisory Group on Property Taxation

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