Increase to Solid Waste Management Bylaw but not yet for Utility Bylaw

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Other associated rates will remain without an increase. Town officials say commercial office customers will be charged an additional $13.00 to their minimum residential rate. Commercial front load waste rates for properties with containers by contractors will be charged an administrative fee of 20 per cent on top of the rate charged by the contractor and a weighed portion of the tonnage fees based on size and frequency of use. Cardboard recycling bins by contractors will also be charged a 20 per cent administrative fee on top of the contractor rate.

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For the utility rate, the waste and wastewater increase would cover the cost of CPI, treatment and maintenance.

The proposed increase to the yearly rate would be an average of 2.6 per cent per month or $4.26 for a typical household with a family of four.

Regarding water, the 2022 minimum rates would be a $17.75 fixed rate, increasing with size of meter, infrastructure rates of $11.04, and consumption rates of $2.83 per cubic meter of water used.

The 2021 minimum water rate began at a $17.40 fixed rate, infrastructure rates of $10.82, and consumption rates of $2.77 per cubic meter of water used.

For wastewater, the 2022 minimum rate would be $15.18, no infrastructure rate, and a consumption rate of $3.24 per cubic meter at 80 per cent of water measured.

The 2021 wastewater minimum rate is $14.88, no infrastructure rate, and a consumption rate of $3.12 per cubic meter at 80 per cent of water measured.

Bulk water sales to contractors, developers, and private companies would remain without increase. The additional fee to the rate established by the North Red Deer River Water Services Commissions will be $0.75 for every cubic meter and a minimum charge of $150.00 per sale.

With Councillor Marina Appel not in favor of the utility increase on citizens, Councillor Rebecca Stendie also questioned the amount of funds currently in reserves.

Justin de Bresser, Director of Corporate Services for the Town of Blackfalds, estimated yearly contributions to the reserve funds as approximately $600,000 – 700,000, however, notes they are utilized for future major capital projects.

Mayor Jamie Hoover supported the increase as a preventative measure against potential larger increases in the future.

“I believe, based on the information that came in those commissions, that this should be fairly stable for at least the next, I believe it’s 10 years. But if we don’t, we could be looking at very volatile prices,” he said.

Newly elected councillor Edna Coulter requested, with support from the rest of council except Mayor Hoover, to table the motion to a standing committee for reviewing by administration. Discussion is set for the end of January after further research regarding the proposed increase has been made.

Potential rate increases to both bylaws in 2022 were discussed last year and would therefore have no impact on the 2022 budget if approved.