Refuse collection fees rise

Refuse collection fees are rising in Yorkton following a unanimous decision made by City Council at its regular meeting Monday.

With the 2012 city budget, residential refuse collection and the landfill are to operate on a self-sufficient basis.

In passing the City's 2012 operating budget, Council had previously approved a 2.5 per cent increase in rates, which was then passed independently Monday.

The rate increase will see the monthly rate climb from $8.50 per month to $8.70, or an annual cost of $104.40.

The fee for each multi-unit (building having a greater than four self contained residential dwelling units) will be 80 per cent of the residential fee = $6.95/month or $83.40/year, explained Yorkton's Director of Finance Lonnie Kaal.

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.

The City's recycling fee will remain at $5 per month, the same rate as in 2010, and 2011.

The water bills will continue to show the garbage fee separate from the recycling fee.