Item - 2023.EX1.2

 The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt, effective January 1, 2023, the interim Solid Waste Management Services Rates and Fees as set out in Appendix A to the report (November 25, 2022) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services.

2. City Council authorize that the necessary amendments be made to the Municipal Code Chapter 441 – Fees and Charges, and any other necessary Municipal Code Chapters as may be required to give effect to the Recommendations.

3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce any necessary Bills required to give effect to City Council's decision and authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary refinements, including stylistic, format and organization, as may be identified by the City Solicitor, the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services.

4. City Council direct that all of the interim rates, fees and charges set out in Appendix A to the report, (November 25, 2022) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, adopted by Council in Recommendation 1 and 2 above, continue in full force and effect until such time as they are amended or repealed by City Council.

This report recommends the adoption by the City Council of interim 2023 Solid Waste Management Services (SWMS) Rates and Fees as set out in this report. The adoption of these interim rates and fees is requested in advance of the 2023 Tax and Rate Supported Operating and Capital Budgets in order to establish these rates and fees and provide City staff with the necessary authority to implement the interim new rates and service fees effective January 1, 2023, consistent with financial modeling and the rate increase requirements presented during the 2022 Budget process.

These interim rates may be amended by City Council when the 2023 Rate supported Operating and Capital Budgets are approved, which is expected in Q1 of 2023. The interim rates are being proposed separately this year due to the timing of the 2022 Municipal Election which has prevented the City from bringing forward the Rate-Supported Budget Process in advance of 2023. This varies to non-election years which typically allows for Rate-Supported Budgets to be considered by Council in December.  

The 2022 SWMS Rates and Fees Report, which was approved by City Council concurrently with the 2022 Operating Budget and 2022-2031 Capital Budget and Plan (“10 Year Plan”), was based on the 10 year financial model predicated on a 3% annual increase in SWMS rates and fees for each year of the 10 Year Plan commencing in 2022 and ending in 2031.

The recommended interim 3% increase in Solid Waste Management Services rates and fees for 2023 as shown in Table 1 below by customer grouping provides and maintains Council approved service levels unchanged from the prior year and maintains the contribution to the Waste Management Reserve fund in line with last year's forecast to finance future capital investments. 

Table 1: Interim Solid Waste Management Services Rates and Fees effective January 1, 2023

Accordingly, this report recommends, effective January 1, 2023, an interim 3% increase in SWMS rates and fees.