The anticipated public meeting on the city's 2008 rates for water and sewer services is this Monday.

The meeting will take place in the community room, beginning at 7 p.m., and will be an open house format, according to Welland city treasurer Bruno Silvestri.

City council and staff began planning the meeting in early June after varying percentage increases based on water usage caused confusion among ratepayers.

Silvestri told council that the increases were different among residents because the 4.46 per cent increase was an overall average, split between the fixed cost and a consumption cost. Homeowners who have the meter cost, but use less water, could actually average out to a slightly higher average increase on their own bills.

By the same token, for a home that uses higher water volumes, their overall impact could be less than 4.46 per cent. Silvestri encouraged anyone with concerns or questions to attend the meeting.

"I don't mind answering any questions citizens may have on water billing," he said.

At the meeting, Silvestri will rehash his original presentation to council from the June 3 meeting, and include some new slides with specific examples of the water bills and different rates.

Because of the confusion, Silvestri said staff have already begun looking at how the rate for 2009 will be communicated to the public.

Because increases are split on metres between fixed and consumption percentages, it is a difficult task.

"There never is exactly one rate that is the answer," said Silvestri.

The transition from fixed quarterly bills to metered bills fuelled the confusion, he added. December is the target date to have every ratepayer in Welland on a metre; Silvestri said it won't be known until later this year if the city will make that target.

"That alone will alleviate most of the confusion from this year, actually," he said. "Then we'll have everyone on the same footing."

Don Smith, of the incorporated citizens' group Eyes on City Hall, said the group will have a presence at the meeting. He has written to the local print media with what he says are many discrepancies in the water rate.

"We have been after this for a long time," said Smith. "We can support anything we print."