Some Winnipeg homeowners with bills for pipe-thawing services will have to wait longer to find out if they will be compensated.

Instead of moving forward with a plan to reimburse people retroactive to Jan. 1, the mayor's executive policy committee ordered a report instead to study the idea.

Right now, people are only being compensated from Feb. 28 onwards.

The price of paying for all of the pipe thawing services could be an issue, as each job costs $305.

The mayor and his cabinet want to see how much this would cost the city before making a decision.

“If other people after Feb. 28 don’t have to pay, why should I?” asked Pat Dorman. She needed her pipes thawed in mid-February.

Critics said the move is sending more mixed messages to confused and frustrated homeowners.

There’s no timeline on the report on the cost of reimbursing homeowners prior to Feb. 28.

“I think that this so-called report is more about money than it is about fairness,” said Dorman.

The report will outline how much the compensation plan would cost the city and if it should cover people who paid private contractors to thaw their pipes.

“What council is looking for is how much cost is involved and are there any other implications as well?” said Diane Sacher, director of water and waste.

The mayor appears on board with picking up other people’s tabs, but wants to see the cost breakdown first.

“If you are going to err, err on the side of citizens who are going through some very unique hardships at this point in time. So, I think we should get the numbers and make a decision,” said Mayor Sam Katz.

Coun. Paula Havixbeck wants the compensation plan to move forward.

“I hear a ton of contradictory information. We’ve gone back and forth and I feel that the mayor, the executive police committee – they are not listening to citizens,” said Havixbeck.

Adding to Pat Dorman’s woes are the fact her pipes have frozen again, but at least this time she knows the new thawing costs will be covered.

City officials said homeowners should keep their bills and receipts while work on the report into possible compensation is underway.

The list for people waiting for thawing services continues to grow, with now at least 1,300 properties affected by frozen pipes in Winnipeg.

The city said frost is up to eight feet deep in the ground and could go deeper.

- with a report from Jeff Keele