The City of Wetaskiwin has made several changes to fees and charges for its services coming into 2023.
During the Feb. 27, 2023, regular council meeting, city council approved the Fees and Charges Bylaw 2028-23. The changes were made to account for increased inflation rates and to ensure any service provided accurately reflects the costs incurred.
The bylaw was originally approved during the regular Dec. 12, council meeting and Administration brought the bylaw back to council Feb. 13, with adjustments for further deliberation.
“No one likes paying more for anything, much less utility bills,” said Mayor Gandam.
“We understand the impact this will have on our community and will continue to look for efficiencies wherever possible.”
Several adjustments have been made to existing fees and additional fees have also been implemented.
Utility fee adjustments
As of Feb. 1, 2023, at the recommendation of Peace Hills Utilities Inc., monthly wastewater fees increased 16 per cent and an additional 15 per cent increase is set to begin July 1, 2023.
The city states the utility rate increases are required to cover the costs of operations and the repayment of the debt associated with the construction of the new wastewater treatment facility starting in 2024.
Based on typical monthly water usage of 15 cubic metres by a family of four the average Wetaskiwin household has a water and wastewater bill of $125 per month. The new rates will increase that to approximately $145 in February and $167 in July.
New fees
Several new fees have also been introduced for 2023. The city will now have a credit card processing fee of 2.4 per cent for all in-person and online credit card payments while for paper bills the continues to be no fee, however, a $2 fee for paper bills will be implemented to help cover internal costs.
Drill hall fees for set up and takedown at the Drill Hall will now be charged at a rate of $40 per hour per staff member.
Monthly fees will be introduced for properties to help recover costs related to storm sewer maintenance with a rate of $0.70 per month for residential, $1.30 per month for multi-family residential and $2.60 per month for industrial, commercial and institutional.
The city is also introducing airport tie down fees which would be $2.50 for daily, $35 for monthly, $375 annually and a winter access snow removal for tie-down fee of $15 per month between October and March each year.
Fee adjustments
Several city services fees and charges will be increasing by 7.4 per cent to keep pace with inflation. This includes but is not limited to:
• Planning and development: fees for residential permits, non-residential new construction and editions, signage, compliance certificates, building safety codes and more.
• Waste management: fees for waste services and Wetaskiwin Sanitary Landfill tipping fees.
• Municipal enforcement: animal licences and taxi licences.
• Cemetery: columbarium and cremains plots fees.
• Fire Services: false alarm responses and fire inspections.
• Recreation: memberships and admission for the Manluk Centre, rental fees for Drill Hall, Memorial Arts Centre, ice, ball diamonds, fields and other facilities.
The fee for non-sufficient funds charges will increase to $25 which is currently in line with the fee’s city administration is charged by the bank for non-sufficient funds. An adjustment has also been made so that there will be no charge of admission at the Manluk Centre for private support staff accompanying a client with a disability.