(File Photo/paNOW staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Landfill Fees

P.A. council looking at increased fees at landfill

Oct 26, 2021 | 9:47 AM

Landfill fees in Prince Albert may be increasing over the next five years.

The city’s council met on Monday for an executive committee meeting where they discussed the price to personally use the junkyard moving forward.

As it stands, individuals will have to pay $154 per tonne starting in 2022 and see an annual increase of $4. This means by 2026, the fee per tonne would be $170 per tonne.

Member of the North Central Saskatchewan Waste Management Corp. (NCSWMC) would see the price cut in half.

P.A. Mayor Greg Dionne was the only one to vote against the report.

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He said he doesn’t like the idea of residents who aren’t a member paying more than non-residents who are a member.

“We should have a cheaper rate to get into all our facilities, our water, and everything else strictly because we pay for the capital through taxation.”

Also, the residential utility surcharge would see a 25 cent rise annually, while the minimum entry fee would increase by 50 cents every year.

Another change being proposed would be a $1,500 surcharge for building demolitions received from outside of city limits.

“The smaller landfills don’t want them so they pass rules that you can’t take them, ship them to P.A. That’s fine, but if you’re going to do that then you’re going to pay a premium price,” Dionne said.

Councillor Don Cody also expressed his support for the new charge.

He noted it should help the landfill’s current $6 million cell reach its 20-year life expectancy as it will deter many people from using it.

“We don’t want that brought into our landfill,” Cody said.

There is concern about its lifespan as the previous cell was filled well before its expected expiration date.

As a possible solution, the city of P.A. is continuing to look at potential ‘waste to energy’ projects.

Meanwhile, before the fees change at the landfill, the city’s council will need to approve it one more time.

Dionne noted he plans on bringing forward a motion that would remove the NCSWMC member discount.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow