Dear editor,

One will have to be pretty wealthy to reside in Royston in the next 10 years.

The Comox Valley Regional District announced that water rates and parcel tax will increase starting in 2024 and continue through 2036, with construction in 2026-2027.

So, this project will be concurrent with the sewer extension, which is also slated to be built in 2026-2027.

With the projected water cost increase of $809 over the current year, and the potential cost of up to $2,350 for the sewer tax and maintenance, in 2027 some households could be looking at a $3,159 surcharge for these services on top of the regular property tax.

This doesn鈥檛 even factor in the projected one-time cost of between $2,500-$8,500 each household must pay for sewer hook-up and septic decommission 鈥� never mind what mortgage rates will look like at that time.

Responding to a question posted on the CVRD鈥檚 engagement website manager of liquid waste planning Darry Monteith says 鈥淭he CVRD understands that any rate increase is difficult for ratepayers.鈥�

If that鈥檚 true, could they not have planned the timeline of these projects better? How are already-struggling households going to manage an almost double tax increase?

Royston might be looking quite a bit different in 2027.

David Donaldson,

Royston