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City council voted Wednesday to transfer all drainage assets to Epcor, saying it will save Edmonton millions and get flood projects built faster.

But the vote was 7-6, with naysayers worried putting critical city services outside council’s direct control is a bad idea.

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The $1.1-billion transfer is scheduled to take effect Sept. 1, after city and Epcor officials write a legally binding contract based on the letter of agreement voted on Wednesday.

Epcor is wholly owned by the City of Edmonton. It agrees to limit rate increases to three per cent a year for five years. After that, rates will be set by city council through its utility committee.

“This has always been an issue of direct control for me,” said Coun. Dave Loken, who voted against the transfer after his attempt to push the vote back to after the October municipal election failed. He said Edmonton’s long-term plan for drainage and flood mitigation was solid and saw no reason to change it.