The funding the city of North Battleford will put toward new water meters is not new funding from the federal government. It is only an accelerated payment from the government of what was already going to be given, due to the gas tax. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

infrastructure spending

North Battleford to use federal funding for new water meters

Jun 4, 2020 | 3:00 PM

Earlier this week, the federal government announced the accelerated allocation of $2.2 billion in expected infrastructure funding to Canadian cities.

The funds, which are a result of the federal gas tax, are being distributed sooner than originally planned in an effort to help ease spending concerns of municipalities during the unprecedented shutdown at hand, due to COVID-19.

The announcement means the city of North Battleford will receive its $870,000 remittance from the gas tax as previously promised, just sooner than initially expected and in more of a lump-sum payment.

North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater, said while the expedited funding will help with cash flow, he would also like to see the government offer financial assistance to help fund more operational projects.

Bater stressed the announcement is not new funding. However, the accelerated handout process will have its benefit.

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“These are funds that are remitted to municipalities annually and all the federal government is doing is providing the payment up front, so this helps with project cash-flow,” Bater said.

He said because the city is unable to use the money for operations, the funding tends to go toward construction projects, with new water meters being the desired project this year.

The city will use the funds to replace approximately 5,000 water meters currently in operation with auto read units and move to a modern electronic metering system that keeps better record of water used. The new system will also help to provide more information to manage water breaks and improve customer service.

While Bater said it is important that federal funding is given to municipalities for infrastructure projects, he would also like to see that expanded to operational spending as well.

“Gas tax money can’t be used by municipalities for operations and that’s where the real challenge is across Canada,” he said. “Municipal governments have lost a lot of revenue because of the pandemic and this is putting serious challenge on operations. So if the federal government wanted to provide assistance to municipalities in the wake of the pandemic, it ought to be looking at operational dollars [as well].”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1