The cost of garbage collection is no longer part of the base tax in the city, but instead will be paid as a monthly fee to be included on water bills.
Lonnie Kaal, Director of Finance with the City explained the change was part of the recently passed 2011 budget. She said as part of the budget, residential refuse collection has been separated from the landfill operations. The landfill is to operate on a self sufficient basis with tipping fees changed to accommodate this. Residential refuse collection will now incorporate tipping fees as an internal cost to be paid to the landfill.
The previous $100 base tax for residential garbage collection will be removed and garbage fees will now be added on to the water bill. Many other cities already do this.
The fee for each residence will be $8.50/month, or $102.50 for 12 months. The fee for each multi-unit - building having greater than four self-contained residential dwelling units - will be 80 per cent of the residential fee; $6.80/month or $81.60/year.
The multi-unit fee is less than the residential fee, because it costs less to pick up garbage from an apartment than from each home, explained a report to Council.
Having the fees on the water bills is fairly consistent among Saskatchewan cities with 10 of 15 having fees on their water bills regarding refuse collection and/or recycling services, said Kaal.
Among cities Yorkton's combined fees of $8.50 for refuse collection and $5.00 for recycling is second highest among the 10 cities, only 50 cents lower than Lloydminster, and 30 cents higher than Prince Albert.
Councillor Larry Pearen was concerned whether citizens would be made aware of the change.
Kaal said it would be advertised in the City's advertisement, and on its website, as well as there being notes of explanation in the November and December waterbills.
Coun. Chris Wyatt suggested it was time for the City to look to the future in terms of funding a new landfill development. He suggested by being "more aggressive" in charging an extra dollar or two per month to fund the development "when the project does happen it's not so drastic."
City Manager David Putz said with the landfill development having an expected cost of $8 to $10 million, planning will be needed. He said Administration is working toward bringing the numbers to Council showing "what future costs will be," allowing the City "to start doing financial planning for the landfill."
