More changes are in store for residents' utility bills next year.
During Monday night's meeting, city council approved a suite of changes to water, sewer and solid waste fees.
Garbage collection will see a two per cent increase for the next three years.
Between 2016 and 2018, automated collection rates will be going from $71.50 to $74.50 per bill for small garbage containers; from $94 to $98 for medium-sized containers; and from $114 to $119 for large containers. Rates for small, medium and large containers have stayed at $70, $92 and $112, respectively, since the last one-per-cent increase in 2013.
Handing over operation of the Vanway and Quinn Street transfer stations to the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George meant the city was able to realize some savings, but increased costs in areas such as tipping fees and salaries are pushing on the budgets which are supposed to be funded solely through user fees.
Coun. Brian Skakun said he did a ride along on a garbage truck several years ago and that each truck was another $500 in tipping fees to make a stop at the landfill.
"Seven per cent increase in tipping fees yearly is unsustainable," said Skakun, noting that the regional district's plan is for those fees to increase to $90 per tonne by 2019. Currently tipping fees at the Foothills landfill are at $72 per tonne and will increase by seven per cent next year.
City unionized employees are also due for a two per cent increase to their wages next year and fleet reinvestment runs at an annual average of $457,000.
However, the city is doing away with planned hikes to residents' water and sewer bills.
Rates were raised in 2013 and 2014 by 19 per cent and 18 per cent this year with the goal of making those utilities self-sustainable by user fees as opposed to contributions from the general tax levy.
They were supposed to rise another three per cent per year in 2016 and 2017 – a total of $27.11 for sewer and $30.41 for water – but that goal of self-sustainability has already been met.
An annual average reinvestment of $5.04 million is required for the sewer utility, while the water service requires an annual injection of $6.8 million for infrastructure, facilities and equipment.
With the past three increases, the fees are now contributing $6.3 million to the sewer capital reserve and $9 million to the water fund.
"As much as we often, when things go wrong, can point to decisions of past councils, I think this is an example where I have to commend the decisions of past councils on their foresight in trying to bring this fund into a self-sustaining financial position that's given us the very enviable position today of not having any rate increases on these utilities," said Coun. Jillian Merrick.
Downtown property owners will also get higher bills next year, with an approved increase to the off-street parking levy.
The levy is paid into by property owners in the C-1 zone, comprising of the central business district.
The fund currently brings in $720,000 annually to make up the shortfall not covered by parking user fees to operate and maintain the city's long- and short-term lots as well as the two lots not owned by the city (Westel parkade and the courthouse).
On Monday, council supported a recommendation to add $30,000 to that bill to help cover the costs of the two leased lots.
An estimated $860,000 per year is required to reinvest in the upkeep of the aging concrete facilities.
The final payment for the courthouse will be made next year, while the Westel least expires in 2026.
Plaza fees
A handful of additional rates are being added to the city's fees and charges bylaw for users of the Civic Centre and Canada Games Plaza.
City council approved new fees for electrical usage and equipment rental in the plaza and Civic Centre to add a potential $10,000 per year to the bottom line. The costs for electrical hook up, tent and furniture rental and to light the Canada Games cauldron are currently being absorbed in the existing budget, said a report from events and Civic Centre manager Myles Tycholis.
The log cauldron, which was provided by Pioneer Log Homes, can be lit on request for events taking place at the Civic Centre or plaza.
The cauldron can be lit for a minimum of four hours for $100 and the cost of security.
