Waste utility could save city $8.9M: report

City council’s governance and priorities committee will consider ideas from city staff on how to reduce a projected 5.77 per cent property tax increase for 2018.

Among them is turning waste collection into a utility, which could save $8.9 million next year and reduce the hike by 4.04 per cent, according to an administration report to be received by the committee at its Monday meeting.

A waste utility would also increase awareness of the full costs of managing waste, reward waste reduction and diversion and extend the life of the landfill, the report says.

Coun. Troy Davies said the concept might make sense in a perfect world, but at the moment he’s not supportive.

“Unfortunately I know there are going to be instances happening where I’m going to have people putting garbage in other people’s garbage cans, and if you go this route it opens the door that we’re going to have more dumping outside of the city, or back alleys, or wherever it might be, where in turn we’re going to have to pay for staff to go pick this up, so are we actually saving money at the end?”

Coun. Darren Hill said it’s unfortunate this conversation is being had separately from the curbside recycling and organics programs. Most people who attended community consultations were clear they want the burden placed on people who throw away more garbage and rewards for those who recycle more, he said.

His goal is a system that enables responsible recyclers to pay less than they do now, he said.

Staff also suggested removing the dedicated snow and ice levy, saving 0.55 per cent of the tax hike, and reintroducing an amusement tax, saving another 0.45 per cent.

Saskatoon had an amusement tax until 2007. The report notes many other municipalities charge an amusement tax, such as Regina and Winnipeg, which have a 10 per cent levy on the price of admission to events and theatres.

“An amusement tax would provide a better source of funding than general taxation for amusement related infrastructure and events, as there is a direct correlation between the users and costs,” the report says.

Hill noted he led the charge in scrapping that tax. He said a detailed Toronto study shows an amusement tax leads to a decrease in attendance and revenue.

“You have to look at the repercussions and what you might be impacting by introducing that new tax or levy.”