By Mark Squibb/March 24, 2022
From gas to groceries, we’ve all heard that things are getting more expensive.
Now you can add cleaning supplies to the list.
At this week’s public meeting, Mount Pearl City council learned the price of pool cleaning chemicals would be increasing.
A 25 kg bag of Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), which is used to raise alkaline levels, will increase from $24.32 to $29.98. A 20 kg bag of calcium, which helps balance water levels, will increase from $19.95 to $25.24. And a 3.6 litre bottle of chlorine, which kills germs and bacteria, will increase from $5.04 to $6.65.
All told, the minor increases will add up to an estimated $3,800 in additional costs annually.
The recommendation from the Community Development Committee was to accept the price increase from Clearwater Pools, but only temporarily, while other long-term options are assessed by staff.
“I guess this is the never ending inflationary spiral that we’ve all witnessed since COVID and the (Ukraine) war, and it seems to be our future,” said Aker. “It’s unavoidable.”
Aker then asked Director of Community Development Jason Collins the total value of the contracts.
Collins said he would have to get back on that, noting staff will get a better lay of the land this spring and that the committee may recommend that the city go to tender.
“I think it’s only appropriate, we should go to market at some point,” said Aker. “If only because it sends a message that in the middle of doing business you can’t just change the ground rules. I can understand the cost pressures, but this is now pool supplies, and we’ve seen it with vehicles and we’ve seen it in other areas.”
Aker said that with a $50 million dollar budget, he didn’t think the pool chemical costs would break the budget, but added the more costs increase, the more pressure the city will be under.
Prior to the meeting, staff sought current pricing and details from two other local vendors. Those prices both turned out to be higher still.
Councilor Mark Rice commended staff for their efforts.