Coaldale sets utility rates for 2025

Posted on January 9, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Nikki Jamieson
Sunny South News

Coaldale’s utility rates have been updated for 2025.

During a special meeting held Dec. 17, Coaldale town council reviewed Utility Rate Bylaw 908-C-12-24, which would set the charges and rates for public utilities in town for 2025.

First and second reading of the bylaw was performed during council’s regular Dec. 9 meeting.

Changes to the rates and fees within the bylaw that will take place as of Jan. 1, 2025 include:

• Solid Waste Service Rates: 

• Domestic consumers will be charged $5 per pick-up for each additional pick-up of recycling over the regular pick-up per week; $13.50 per pick-up for each additional pick-up of garbage over the regular pick-up per week; $11 per pick-up for each additional pick-up of compost over the regular pick-up per week. Additionally, a one-time charge of $157.50 ($1530 + GST) for each replacement or additional solid waste bin will be applied.

• Commercial consumers will be charged $23 per month for each weekly garbage pick-up per bin; $14 per month shall for each weekly recycling pick-up per week, per bin; and $14 per month shall be levied for each weekly compost pick-up per week, per bin. Additionally, a one-time charge of $157.50 ($150 + GST) for each replacement or additional solid waste bin will apply.

• Water Meter Fees: 

• New and redeveloped Domestic Consumers with up to one-inch water service shall be charged a one-time water meter fee with the development permit application of $695 per water meter.

• New and redeveloped Domestic Consumers with 1.5-inch water service shall be charged a one-time water meter fee with the development permit application of $2,910 per water meter.

• New and redeveloped Domestic Consumers with a two-inch water service shall be charged a one-time water meter fee with the development permit application of $3,300 per water meter.

• New and redeveloped Commercial Consumers with up to one-inch water service shall be charged a one-time water meter fee with the development permit application of $695 per water meter.

• New and redeveloped Commercial Consumers with up to 1.5-inch water service shall be charged a one-time water meter fee with the development permit application of $2,910 per water meter.

• New and redeveloped Commercial Consumers with up to two-inch water service shall be charged a one-time water meter fee with the development permit application of $3,300 per water meter.

• Replacement fees for water meter components will be billed $360.00 for Residential/Commercial up to 1” meter, and $395.00 for MXU (remote radio meter reader).

Kyle Beauchamp, director of corporate services for the town, said the changes for bin pickup for commercial consumers would “now have the opportunity to pick and choose what they want”.

“So if they just want compost or garbage or recycling, they have that option, gives them a little more financial flexibility in that means,” said Beauchamp.

For the water metre increases, Beauchamp noted that it has been a number of years since they were last increased, and as costs go up for the town, they need the increase their rates to “keep up with the costs we are ultimately charged”.

Council passed third and final reading of the bylaw in a split 6-1 vote, with coun. Lisa Reis being the sole vote against.