The monthly recycling levy in Yorkton may be about to increase.
At least that was the request from the Saskatchewan Abilities Council, Yorkton branch at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.
The request was to increase the monthly levy from its current $5.00/household/month to $7.00/household/month to support its residential recycling program
In terms of background 鈥淩ecyclAbility Enterprises, operated by the Saskatchewan Abilities Council has two divisions. The Commercial Division processes recyclable materials from businesses and surrounding communities on a fee-for-service basis. The Residential Division focuses on the collection and processing of recyclable materials, produced by the citizens of Yorkton, on a block funding basis,鈥� detailed material circulated to Council Monday.
鈥淭he City of Yorkton currently charges households in Yorkton $5.00/household/month to cover the cost of the Residential Recycling Program which enables residents to recycle their household cardboard, paper, glass, tin, and plastic products. The levy was introduced in 1997 at $1.00/month, raised in 1999 to $2.00/month, raised again in 2006 to $4.00/month, and then in 2010 it was increased to its present $5.00/month with $2.00 designated to cover the cost of curbside collection service operated by PHEP and $3.00 to cover the processing and freight costs of RecyclAbility Enterprises. A financial projection of 2015 and 2016 revenue and expenses highlighted that without additional revenue streams; the current program is not financially sustainable.鈥�
John Denysek, who made the presentation said part of the reason for the increase is because of changes provincially. He said the provincial Multi-Material Recycling Program 鈥渨as budgeted to provide $80,000 in revenue to the program in 2015; however, the provincial program was not implemented and the interim financing will only provide approximately $15,000.鈥� That shortfall is creating a funding shortfall.
In addition, funds are required to replenish the reserve account.
The reserve account balance is around $46,000 and will be depleted in 2015 to support operations. A reserve account is needed to provide for future innovations in recycling, noted Denysek.
The requested increase would address the concerns, said Denysek.
For every $1.00 of increase in the levy raises $87,508.
Before an increase can be approved the matter would need to be brought back to Council for a bylaw change. As a result the request was filed, and handed to City Administration to follow-up.
