The City of North Bay's Environmental Services department is proposing an increase in tipping fees at the Merrick Landfill facility.
A public meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 15 at 5 p.m., weather permitting, for discussion and feedback.
Effective April 1 if passed, the ICI (Industrial, Commercial, Institutional) tipping fee would increase from $105 to $110. A private vehicle with six bags or less would rise from $5 to $10 while a private vehicle with more than six bags would see a jump from $20 to $25. A private vehicle towing a single-axle trailer would carry a tipping fee at Merrick Landfill of $35, up from $30.
According to the report filed in support of the increases, "The proposed rate changes are recommended to offset the reduction in tipping volumes that have resulted from enhanced recycling initiatives. Waste diversion from the landfill will extend the life of the asset, however, reduced volumes also result in reduced revenues. The recommended rate increase will maintain revenues in the 2024 Administrative Operating budget to the 2023 revenue. In the event the rate change is not approved the 2024 Operating Budget will be adjusted accordingly."
The Merrick Landfill user rates and tipping fees go toward covering various expenses, such as costs for the entire waste management program — including capital costs to establish, improve, and upgrade the site — annual operating costs, plus ancillary services such as recycling and waste reduction programs. The report notes the Merrick Landfill's "operating and capital costs are forecasted to continue to increase due to cost escalations for items such as fuel, parts, chemicals and labour."
Municipalities are "looking at user fees to help offset the impact of municipal services on property taxes," the report states. Section 391(1) of the Municipal Act allows municipalities to impose a fee or charge on individuals. "In most cases, an individual receives a direct benefit from a service," however, in the case of these by-law changes, "the imposed fee or charge is to encourage recycling and maximize the life of the landfill."
The City of North Bay advises tipping fees came into effect in 1990 and have gradually increased over time but "rates remain significantly below full cost recovery. With the recommended changes North Bay tipping fees remain comparable to other northern and central Ontario’s communities."