Saanich council approved increases to the municipal garbage collection and sewer rates on Monday.
The 2017 garbage collection base fee will climb from $112.50 annually to $118.50. That does not include the fees per cart, which remains at $25.50 for a 120-litre garbage cart and $35.75 for a 180-litre cart. Organic carts also remain the same at $25 for the 80-litre, $35 for the 120-litre and $70 for the 240-litre.
Sewer rates will also go up in 2017, with the household average bumping from $437 to $490, an average increase per home of $53, or 12.1 per cent. Saanich’s revenue requirements to cover costs in 2017 are projected to increase from $17,924,200 to $19,708,000, which is 9.95 per cent. Much of that is Saanich’s portion of the regional sewage program.
Water rates, however, will not go up in 2017, and will remain at $1.56 per cubic metre (220 imperial gallons) of water used. Although there are increases to the district’s water infrastructure in 2017, the projected increase in overall water consumption by residents should generate enough revenue to cover the costs. Additional consumption comes from increased usage and new residential and commercial units.