Responsibility is shifting in how the cost of water distribution and sewer collection services are paid for in Carman. Mayor Bob Mitchell says Council has approved a new rate structure that will see these expenses made-up through water and sewer rates rather than general taxation.

"We're trying to push more of the cost of the water and sewer system on to the water consumption rates rather than into the general tax revenue," explains Mitchell, adding "It's not that it's costing us a lot more than it used to provide the water services, it's just that we're shifting it...so that the people that use the water will pay."

He notes people will now see a big increase in their water rates but will notice an offset in their property taxes, however explains this doesn't necessarily mean taxes will go down.

"We'll either have more money to spend on other things or our taxes go down, and I do believe that taxes...this year didn't go up and I don't believe next year we have any real plans to increase them anyway."

Mitchell adds these new utility rates will be phased in over three or four years.

"They (the Public Utilities Board) just allow(s) you to have so much of an increase this year, and then the next year, and then the next year until finally you reach where it should be based on the cost of operating the water utility."