RDN defers motion for increased curbside pickup fees

The cart exchange fee would also increase from $50 to $75 for garbage carts while recycling carts would be free. Photo: Lauryn Mackenzie / CHLY 101.7fm

At a Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) board meeting on Tuesday, March 13, directors voted to defer a motion that would have seen a four per cent increase to curbside collection utility fees.
Curbside garbage and recycling pick up is mandatory for all residential properties containing up to four dwelling units in the RDN. This service is also optional for eligible bare land strata and townhouse complexes. 

A report by the RDN, said currently approximately 30,000 households fall into the service area.

At the meeting, manager of water services for the RDN, Murray Walters explained the annual curbside utility fee is analyzed for accuracy and cost recovery and then adjusted accordingly every year.

The fees would increase by four per cent, with three per cent of it due to inflation and one per cent for the increased operating costs of the expanded organics program, which will permit yard waste to be put into the bins.

The cart exchange fee would also increase from $50 to $75 for garbage carts while recycling carts would be free.

Leanne Salter, director for Electoral Area F,  asked if there were going to be any changes to the service with the increase in costs.

“How is it going to be more effective and efficient–I think it already is–by increasing the utility fee costs,” Salter said.

Solid waste planner, Sonam Bajwa, explained the increased costs are associated with contracted costs. 

“So there are certain increases that we have that are related to inflation costs and just the cost of running the contract year over year, and that's why there is a three per cent increase,” Bajwa said. “So the program itself isn't necessarily changing, we will have the additional communication pieces that are associated with the expansion of the yard waste program, but the service, as our residents know, it isn't going to change.”

Salter said she is also worried about all the additional costs associated with additional cart pick-ups or if a cart goes missing. 

“If that cart is stolen or damaged due to negligence of the owner, there'll be another fee, which is a $50 per visit fee,” Salter said. “So I kind of think that's a bit high because unless the owner drove over it themselves, other than that, if someone steals your cart, it's probably not something you were hoping for already.”

Salter asked if there is a way to remove the cart exchange costs.

“We're already increasing the cost of picking up the garbage, they visit once every two weeks. Why? So this $75 charge seems rather onerous to me,” she said.

Walters said the additional exchange fees are on a cost recovery basis. However, he adds cart fees are not his area of expertise, and the person who has that area of expertise was home sick.

Salter said she needs more information on the fees and because the staff member who would know more about it was sick, she asked if the motion could be deferred until more information is available. 

“I don't like this, but I need more information. I think there's far too many costs going on here.” she said. “I remember when we used to take it to the garbage dump, dump it and go home, it didn't cost us $75, $80, $40, none of that. I bought my own garbage can and we all managed that, everything went fine.”

Nanaimo councillor and RDN director Sheryl Armstrong said she agrees more information is needed. She said she worries if someone were to lose their carts several times, the costs would add up.

“It really affects the electoral areas, and if they're not really there, some of them aren't understanding,” Armstrong said. “I think it's important that they get that information. It has a big impact on their community if you happen to lose your garbage can two or three times, doesn't take long to add up.”

Director for Electoral Area E Bob Rodgers said he does not support the deferral as there is enough information within the bylaw and the service itself. 

“This is a cost recovery service. I certainly don't expect the RDN to pay for a garbage can if somebody steals one of my garbage cans, I don't expect the RDN to have to replace that. That would be my cost,” Rodgers said. “The service has to be operated on a full cost recovery basis, I think, and the information is within the bylaw information and it is regularly reviewed when we do review increasing costs and utility fees.” 

The motion to defer until the following meeting on March 26 passed 11-5.

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.