Langdon residents will see their curbside waste collection fee increase by 25 per cent, effective Feb. 25, as Rocky View County (RVC) council approved changes to the Master Rates Bylaw on Feb. 11.
The new rate of $12.50 per month, up from $10 per month, is charged on household utility bills in Langdon.
Cole Nelson, solid waste and recycling manger at RVC, told council the cost is reflective of increased tipping fees charged by the City of Calgary.
“We do strive for full cost recovery… so that’s why that rates included. But based on escalators, whether that’s with the contract community, increases with tipping fees in the City of Calgary, it is required from time-to-time that the rate will increase,” Nelson said, adding “that’s our best guess on what the per household rate will be for 2014.”
Nelson said the Langdon rate for curbside collection has been in place since 2010, and at the time the rate was negotiated, the City of Calgary’s tipping fee was $75 per tonne, whereas today it’s $103 per tonne – a 37 per cent increase.
He told council the County pays a fee for collection and a rate for tipping.
“RVC doesn’t have a viable disposal option other than the City of Calgary, so we’re obligated to (pay) their rate. And that is their book rate, there is no discount at that point,” he said.
The Master Rates Bylaw was first presented to council on Jan. 28, but failed to receive the required unanimous support for three readings to become effective as Langdon-area Councillor Rolly Ashdown said he wanted more information about the 25 per cent hike.
“I’d like to see more information before we entertain these fees,” Ashdown said on Jan. 28.
Ashdown said on Feb. 11, he received more information in the interim from County staff about the new curbside collection program being contemplated for Langdon, and was “satisfied” was the justification for the rate increase.
Rates for other solid waste and recycling program County-wide also increased.
The Tag-a-Bag Program, for disposable of single bags of garbage at County transfer sites and CHUCKwagon locations, went up from $2 to $3 for County resident and an additional $1 for non-residents; a Book of 25 Tag-a-Bag Tickets increase from $45 to $65; disposal of household furniture increased from $15 to $20; and disposal of bulk waste per half-ton truck load increased from $30 to $45.
According to the County, cost increases aim for full cost recovery of providing the service. Rate increases were seen in all departments of RVC administration, including Corporate Services, Infrastructure and Operations, Planning and Development Services, and Community Services.
RVC Public Information Officer Karen Jiang said the rates are based on the 2014 Operating Budget approved by council in December 2013.
She added administration is currently developing User-Fee Principles that will guide future user fee changes.
“The User Fee Principles will enable recommended user fees to be grounded and establish rationale processes, aligned with the County Corporate Strategy,” said Jiang.
A date for decision could not be confirmed, as of press time.
