The Municipality of West Grey is set to increase a variety of fees and charges after directing staff to bring forward a by-law to implement changes for 2025.
Once the by-law is adopted, the new fees are set to take effect on September 1.
Staff anticipate the new fees and charges will generate $3,874,932 in revenue, or approximately 16.7 per cent of the Municipality's operating budget.
Some of the changes include increases to landfill fees and the addition of minimum fees for waste, large brush and wood, and contaminated brush and wood. Council opted against a minimum fee for brush and wood under 10cm in diameter.
There will also be a new $100 charge for a Noise Bylaw Exemption Request.
Mayor Kevin Eccles said the changes were overdue and council would effort to make regular updates to the fees and charges.
"It's been two years since these have been updated and whatnot, they are slightly out of whack," he said. "There are a few things in there that need more specific attention and we will do that on a more annual basis instead of it being two years, four years, or six years and suddenly we need to go up 15 per cent."
After several questions from council on how recreation fees were structured, staff said a more thorough review of those needed to be conducted as well.
CAO Michele Harris said one of the larger discussions council will need to have is whether it can have ice in Ayton in the spring.
"It's putting huge pressure on the systems to keep ice in," she told council. "I think if we come back with recreation recommended fees for council consideration for next season, bringing people from other communities means that, if we aren't recovering full cost, we are actually bonusing taxpayers from other municipalities and paying that burden with our ratepayers."
Notice will be provided soon that the bylaw to adopt the fees will be considered by Council. Those that want to see the proposed fees can find them online.