Lots of questions and concerns about new Garbage Utility...

I support the new garbage utlity, approved by the past council, because it :

• is more fair to commercial property owners in that they will no longer be taxed for a service they don't receive.
• will charge people for garbage services according to the amount of waste they generate.

Still, there have been a lot of understandable concern about the new system, especially relating to the requirement for every house to have a wheeled container. People have told me they resent being required to have a container. Seniors have expressed concern about having to move containers to the curb and then back to their houses.

I think its important for people who have opinions about the new garbage system, either pro or con, to let me and other Councillors know what they think.  Some questions you might have on the new container requirement may be answered by this frequently asked questions page on the City web site.

Comments

[isobel harrison]

I am very upset to being told I have to have a city garbage contrainer. I have just bought 2 new ones in the last 2 years.I feel like I am being forced by some guy at city Hall that if I don;t answer the size of the container and tell them I will pay rent they will charge me for the big one. I wouldn't think that is legal.As far as I am concerned it is another tax. I suppose it has to be in a certain place or they won't take it.

[isobel harrison]

I am very upset to being told I have to have a city garbage contrainer. I have just bought 2 new ones in the last 2 years.I feel like I am being forced by some guy at city Hall that if I don;t answer the size of the container and tell them I will pay rent they will charge me for the big one. I wouldn't think that is legal.As far as I am concerned it is another tax. I suppose it has to be in a certain place or they won't take it.

[Bronwen Scott]

I don't believe the new container system is fair because even the smallest container is much too big for the amount of garbage my home generates.

I also object to buying a standardized container that will be much harder for me to deal with in my semi-rural setting, particularly since the city also has a bear by-law which means i'll have to drag the new, larger container up my steep, long driveway in the morning before work.

The idea of paying so much money for something to put garbage in is offensive to me as well.

Furthermore, this system does nothing to encourage reduction and recycling of waste. In fact, in encourages more waste by supplying a larger container.

An alternative would be to initiate recycling containers rather than larger garbage bins, in my opinion.

Thanks for giving me this opportunity to respond to local issues. I feel my vote for you was very well placed.

Cheers,
bronwen

[Rob Nordin]

Will we experience a tax cut or will the garbage "tax" be added to what we already pay? If the average property tax assessment is $1800, adding another $135 is an overall tax increase of 7.5%. I would also like to know the current total cost of garbage collection.

[Mike]

I can certainly see the benefit to the city's experience rating (WCB)but don't we already pay for garbage collection? Is the fee for the container above what we already pay for collection or will our taxes drop to reflect this imposed cost. City hall needs to provide more detail to tax payers.

[Neil W.]

I dissagree with your comment that the new garbage utility fees 'will charge people for garbage services according to the amount of waste they generate'.

At first glance, it seems that the more garbage you have the cheaper it is.
120 litres costs $75
360 litres costs $135
That is 3 times the garbage yet less than twice the cost.

Also, your link to frequently asked questions mentions a 'reserve fund'. Municipalities are supposed to be revenue neutral, why are we paying extra for this fund and what is it being used for?

Thanks for providing this forum for people to comment on issues of the day.

hmmmmm....I am willing to give you my email address but do not agree that it should be posted...