Council approves $33.2 million in cost pressure relief

Medicine Hat – At the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, Council approved $33.2 million from financial reserves to relieve the pressure of rising costs for area residents and small and medium businesses.

Relief will be delivered in the form of a credit through City of Medicine Hat utility accounts where possible to avoid the high cost of administering and mailing cheques.

Residential utility account holders will receive $200 per month for the months of August, September, October and November, including residential units represented by condo associations and other housing-based associations, with the double initial payment (representing August and September) commencing on the billing cycle of Sept. 18,2023. The total residential relief amount is $800 per account, for a total of $26 million.

Small and medium business utility accounts will receive $500 per month for the same months, also beginning with the double-month payment in September. The total small/medium business relief amounts to $2,000 per account, or $7.1 million.

In addition, all disconnect notice fees, non-sufficient fund (NSF) fees, and late fees are waived from June 1, 2023 to Sept. 18, 2023, inclusive. Credits for such fees that have been charged since June 1 will appear on the customer’s first bill after Sept. 18.

Residents who do not need the cost relief are encouraged to donate their relief amount to the Community Warmth Program, which provides support to those who are struggling to pay their utility bill.

For more info on cost pressure relief, visit the City's website.

To donate to the Community Warmth Program, visit www.medicinehat.ca/communitywarmth.

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