Yorkton Council decided Monday to lower proposed lot rentals at the City-owned mobile Home Park.
Residents of the Mobile Home Park had voiced their displeasure with a proposed $75 increase when at the Nov. 30 meeting of Council Janice Prokopets made a presentation, one supported by most park residents.
The presentation centred on a request the City keep monthly lot rent at $275, with future increases not to exceed two per cent of our monthly rent.
“We know the increase of $75 to our rent would be detrimental to our lives, our homes and our health. Many are seniors, on a pension with limited income. Some are sacrificing their health by eliminating medication to pay the cost of living. Many are unable to pay for necessary home repairs, or meet financial commitments,” said Prokopets at the time.
“With lot rent, taxes and water, we pay $5,000 plus per year. Another $900 per year will cost us over $6,000. We pay all utilities, home insurance, repairs, maintenance and yard work.”
Monday, as way of background Shannon Bell, Director of Finance with the City explained, “In 2013, the City conducted a market analysis of rental rates for mobile homes. This study indicated that the rental rates at that time in Yorkton were well below average and as such, council approved a schedule of rental increases for the City’s Mobile Home Park.”
As per council direction, another market analysis was to be conducted in 2015. The findings indicate that Yorkton is currently lower than the average small/medium sized city, she added.
The City’s current rental rate of $275 per month plus utilities and taxes equals a total monthly cost of $460 for the tenants, detailed a report circulated to Council.
“The closest mobile home park to compare the City’s park to is Westshore Greens which is located just southwest of the City. As evident by the chart the City of Yorkton’s mobile home park costs $120 per month more. This difference can be attributed to services such as paved roadways and better water quality,” said Bell.
The rent analysis provided indicates that once the 2016 increase to $350 is in effect, that amount will be an average market rate within the province. The question then becomes whether or not to hold that rate or continue increasing rental rates. Based on the assumption that rental rates will continue to increase with inflation each year, it is suggested that the City consider minor rent increases going forward. This will ensure that Yorkton’s rates will not lag behind the market, and that there will be no requirements for the substantial increases that were shown in 2013 – 2016, detailed the report.
The Report to Council also included background on the option to sell the individual lots for renters, and to sell the entire park to a third party.
In the end Council was unanimous in rescinding “the portion of the resolution passed on March 11, 2013 as to the monthly land rental rate increase for the City of Yorkton mobile home park effective January 1, 2016 of $350.”
Council was then unanimous in setting the monthly land rental rate for the City of Yorkton mobile home park as of July 1, 2016 to be $285.
Finally it was a decision of Council to retain ownership of the City of Yorkton mobile home park; that the monthly land rental of the City of Yorkton mobile home park be set at $295 effective July 1, 2017, $305 effective July 1, 2018 and $315 effective July 1, 2019 and further that Administration is to provide a report to Council in the first quarter of 2019 indicating current market with the objective of setting rates for 2020/2021/2022/2023.
