Reserve Levels & Long-Term Funding Gaps

What we know: The 2021–2025 Financial Plan shows significant annual contributions to reserves (nearly $1 million+ in 2021 for all reserves combined). harrisonhotsprings.ca
The utility departments cover water, sewer and wastewater treatment operations. harrisonhotsprings.ca
Infrastructure work such as the storm sewer project confirms large upcoming investment needs. Get Into It Harrison!

What we don’t know: Exact current reserve balances for water/sewer/WWTP individually; a clear “funding gap” number (how much more needs to be saved); a public asset management plan detailing full replacement costs.

Why this matters: Without clear numbers, residents are being asked to approve higher rates or fees (for example, proposed +8% increases) without full visibility into how much is required and whether current reserves are sufficient to avoid major future rate shocks.

What to watch for:

• Release of a water/sewer master plan or asset management plan with cost estimates

• Council staff reports showing “we are X years behind / we need to raise Y per year”

• Updates to the Annual Report showing detailed reserve balances

• Rate increase justification tied explicitly to long-term replacement cost

Item What we have What’s missing

Reserves contributions (2021) ~$1 million+ for all reserves combined Actual balance for each utility (water, sewer, WWTP)

Infrastructure cost estimates Storm sewer project shows large cost Full replacement cost for water/sewer system

Funding gap clearly defined None found “We are $X behind; we must raise $Y per year”