Squamish residents can expect their solid waste collection fees to go up by 5% in 2023.
At the same time, landfill tipping fees will increase on average by about 5%.
However, sewage and water utility fees will remain at the same price.
On Nov. 15, council voted unanimously in favour of the increase.
"Residential curbside collection fees proposed reflect the annual cost increases associated with the collection of the materials and the tipping fees at the organic material processing facility," reads a report to council.
"Rates at the Squamish landfill have been increased for 2023 to reflect the ongoing costs of debt servicing for the landfill vertical expansion."
During the meeting, Rolland Russell, the municipality's senior financial analyst, took note of the differing fee increases by applying the 5% rate to different totes sizes.
Small tote charges will be at $210, up from the current rate of $200.
Medium tote charges will be $385, up from $365.
Large tote charges will be $600, up from $570.
When adding up all the utilities that a property pays — curbside collection, water and sewage — the overall increase is between 1% to 2%, Russell said.
With respect to the landfill tipping fee increase, Russell said that those are cost-recovery rates.
Coun. Chris Pettingill also requested that staff provide some data about the effectiveness of the different tote size program.
Back in 2021, the District offered residents a chance to save money by having a smaller tote, an incentive still in place.
