Tax bill causes frustration for some Lakeshore residents

Lakeshore residents upset over a $400 line item on their tax bill for the green bin program and garbage collection. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco has details.

Lakeshore residents have received their tax bill, which features a fee for over $187 for the green bin program.

“No, it doesn’t bother me,” said Pat Levack. “I was expecting it. I knew it was coming.”

Not everyone feels like her.

Mayor Tracey Bailey took to Facebook to help residents understand the green bin fee, but not everyone was embracing the explanation. One commenter said the green bin program should have been optional. Another pointed out they’ve been composting for years.

Levack has been using the green bin successfully but is expecting the municipality to lower taxes on garbage pick up in the next couple of years.

“They are thinking of changing it from weekly to bi-weekly and right now with the green bin and the blue bin I don’t have regular garbage for at least a month.”

Mary Ann Beaulieu was visiting town for a car show from Essex.

“It’s all progress and they’re just trying to do better for the society and the environment.” Beaulieu said. “If you’re going to be taxed for it why wouldn’t you use it then? Why would you not want to use it? It’s collecting all your excess waste.”

Essex mayor Sherry Bondy has seen the backlash and is getting in front of it.

The town has put together a report outlining their tax increase resulting from the green bin fee with answers to anticipated questions.

“It’s not a local program. This is a program that the provincial government is mandating municipalities to get involved in,” said Bondy who explains the decision to enter the program was made by the former Essex County Council four years ago.

She understands there are people in the county who compost and feels that is the way to go, but the green bin program is here.

“My advice now to residents is let’s start rowing in the same direction because if we fight it, if we don’t use it then we’re not only going to have to pay for the green bin program, we’re going to have to pay for a new landfill.”

According to members of municipal government, the topic of the green bin program in rural areas was discussed before being enacted. Bondy would like to see more data collection on the green bin program to better serve residents. She is hoping information on usage and tonnage is available for the next council to help guide future decisions on the program.

“I kinda believe a lot of county residents aren’t using it as much as the city of Windsor. There’s a lot of us saying that we’re actually subsidizing it.”