Garbage Rates Going Up

By 250 News

The rates may vary but one thing remains the same, the rates are going up.

The Finance and Audit Committee cites increases in costs for fuel, labour and higher landfill volumes as the reasons for the increases. City manager George Paul says  the vacancy rate in the City  has dropped meaning dollars that had been collected in the past  on vacant properties, are now being eaten up in tipping fees.

Councilor Sethen said the whole idea behind going to the automated system was that it was supposed to save dollars, but costs are up.  Mayor Kinsley says there has been a cost benefit, in that since the automated pick up system has been introduced, there has not been one day of lost time because of back injury.

There were hopes of a surplus in the system, and the opposite is happening, with the current rates not covering the actual costs of the program. Its expected there will be a $30,000 defecit this year.

Councilor Brian Skakun noted the increase for the small container is just $2.00 to reflect the "positive recycling efforts"  He said people with medium containers are recycling, people with large containers recycle,  they may just have larger families.

Prince George Council has given the first three readings to a bylaw calling for increased rates to pick up garbage. 

Here’s how your bill for July through December will look:

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