Fort Simpson (May 19/06) - Council passed both the first and second reading of bylaws that will change the water and sewer rates and mill rates for the village.

For the water and sewer rates, proposed changes include raising the residential rate from $4.20 per 1,000 litres to $5.00.

All other water users would see an increase from $7.96 to $10.60.

The mill rate (the amount of tax paid per dollar of an assessed property value), would be increased by one per cent. Vacant and undeveloped land would see an additional increase of 30 per cent on the rates.

A third reading is required before changes in the two bylaws can be enacted.

At the May 15 meeting of village council, the 2006 budget was approved.

According to calculations, Fort Simpson will require over $4.5 million for the year.

Village council agreed to donate $100 to Jennifer Thistle.

Thistle requested a donation to help with her fundraising efforts for her exchange trip with the Canada World Youth Program that will take her to Nova Scotia and then onto Brazil.

Following a suggestion by Mayor Duncan Canvin and discussion by council, the village will be releasing an as and when for engineering services.

Canvin said the village needs an engineer to oversee the major projects planned for the village including the extension to the fire hall, the chipsealing of roads and the placement of concrete in the arena.

"We can't fly by the seat of our pants on a lot of these major projects," Canvin said.