Municipal staff in Port Coquitlam have been tasked with finding a way to ensure low-income seniors receive a break on their utility bills.

Council decided at Monday night’s finance and intergovernmental committee meeting that a blanket discount on water and sewer rates for all seniors would not be fair to remaining taxpayers but that help should be extended to those needing it most.

“Many seniors don’t need this at all,” noted Coun. Mike Forrest. “I’m opposed to blanket coverage.”

He continued by asking staff how difficult it would be to create a way to determine who would be classed accurately as low-income.

“I’d like to know how much more it will take and how onerous that exactly is,” he said.

Coun. Glenn Pollock agreed, pointing out many of the community’s seniors are “comfortably retired” but there are those who would benefit from the discount.

Coun. Michael Wright said he believes there’s merit in the discussion but cautioned his colleagues that because taxes are not based on the ability to pay, but rather on home values, “we’re getting ourselves into a bit of a hole here.”

The city began phasing out the seniors’ discount three years ago, with complete removal scheduled for 2009. During the last year of the phase-out period, seniors saved approximately $25 on their utility bills.

The original staff motion presented to council recommended not approving a seniors’ discount but, after debate, Forrest made the motion for staff to investigate the potential for water and sewer rate discounts for seniors in need. The motion passed with all but Wright in favour.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS SOUGHT

Port Coquitlam citizens are being sought for seven council committees.

Besides the six committees on which residents could sit previously, the public is invited for the first time onto the finance and intergovernmental committee, which deals with overall administration of the municipality. Applications will be accepted from now until Dec. 4 via www.portcoquitlam.ca/volunteer for a pair of citizen positions on each of the remaining six committees:

• Community safety: oversees animal control (including bears), vector control, bylaw enforcement, crime prevention, emergency preparedness, fire services and RCMP operations.

• Environmental enhancement: covers environmental matters, including solid waste (garbage, recycling, composting), watercourse stewardship and energy conservation.

• Healthy community: deals with achievement, recognition, civic festivals, cultural events, recreation facility maintenance and improvements, leisure activities and liaison with the Port Coquitlam Amateur Athletic Association.

• Smart growth: integrates the city’s social, economic and environmental interests when reviewing matters related to community and economic development, including building inspections, downtown revitalization, industrial and commercial promotion, the official community plan, strata title subdivision, street naming and zoning.

• Social inclusion: covers community health care, access and mobility for disabled residents, homelessness, multiculturalism, social planning and other social issues.

• Transportation solutions and operations: oversees flood control, road improvements, water services, traffic safety, transportation and transit.

The municipality also recruits positions in arts and culture, parks and recreation, emergency preparedness, special events and programs for children, youth and seniors. The appointments are for a one-year term and applications are also available from city hall (2580 Shaughnessy St.) or by calling 604-927-5410.

jroessle@tricitynews.com