Increase in landfill fees stinks to West Kelowna

City council members unhappy about passing on 20% hike in fees from Kelowna

Kelowna’s boosting of dumping fees was trashed Tuesday by West Kelowna city council.

As a result of the fee increase, West Kelowna homeowners will pay 20 per cent more for pickup of their trash and recyclables. The yearly charge will rise to $200 from $168.

“This is getting close to being outrageous,” Coun. Duane Ophus said. “How can it possibly cost that much more in one year to operate the Glenmore landfill?”

The increase for garbage and recycling services alone will cost the average West Kelowna ratepayer more than the three per cent municipal tax increase, Ophus noted.

“We pride ourselves on a three per cent tax increase. Well, we’re not kidding anyone,” Coun. Bryden Winsby said. “Because you add up all the fees, it’s a heck of a lot more than that.

“We call it a user fee so we don’t have to call it a tax,” Winsby said. “But in point of fact, most people don’t see much of a difference between the two.”

Despite the grumbling, council decided there was nothing to be done but to accept the higher fees and pass the costs on to homeowners.

“We’re taking it on the shins. We’re taking it straight up, and we gotta do it,” said Mayor Doug Findlater.

Since the closure of the West Kelowna landfill, the city’s garbage has been trucked to the Glenmore landfill.

Last fall, Kelowna city council approved an across-the-board increase to all fees associated with the Glenmore dump, effective Jan. 1, 2018. Kelowna homeowners will see their yearly fee for collection of waste and recyclables rise to $174 from $162.

As well, the tipping fee charged at the dump has risen to $85 a tonne from $65, and the minimum dumping charge is now $11 with the elimination of a $2.50 charge per bag.

Dumping of yard waste, which had been free, now costs $5 up to 250 kilograms.

The hefty increases were needed to ensure the dump “remains selffunding” without requiring taxpayer funds, the City of Kelowna says. As well, despite the increases, Kelowna’s dump fees are said to be below those charged in Penticton, Summerland and Vernon.

Nevertheless, West Kelowna intends to summon a City of Kelowna official to an upcoming meeting to explain why dump fees are going up.