Residents of the City-owned Mobile Home Park are not happy with a proposed fee hike, and Council Chambers were full at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday, mostly park residents supporting a presentation made by Janice Prokopets.
The presentation centred on a request the City keep monthly lot rent at $275, with future increases not to exceed two per cent of residents 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.
“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.”
Part of the issue is that the City offers little for the rental fee, Prokopets argued.
“As our landlords, you do not provide any services, you do not look after your property, we do, whether we do this ourselves or pay to have someone else do it because we are unable due to health reasons,” said Prokopets.
“The service of snow removal, street sweeping, garbage pick-up, street lights and sewer are paid for through our property taxes all other tax paying Yorkton citizens.”
Prokopets said as it rent has increased significant through the years.
“Our lot rent has already increased by 130 per cent in the past two years. There is no way our income has increased to afford this expense,” she said.
And the increase is pinching residents with fixed incomes.
“Speaking with residents, hearing their concerns financially, many have not responded to the purchase of your property. Many cannot maintain their home and cost of living expenses. Many are on a fixed income, many have children who should not be deprived of life’s necessities to have a healthy childhood. How will they have money to purchase your property at market value,” said Prokopets.
Councillor Ross Fisher said the issue is one Council will be looking at in more detail “in the next little while,” adding City Administration would keep residents of the mobile home park up to-date on that process.
Coun. Chris Wyatt asked Administration to look at rates at other area parks and have that as part of the material to be looked at during upcoming deliberations.
