New funding model for Winnipeg garbage fees clears hurdle at city hall

The mayor's inner-circle voted in favour of a new rate model for Winnipeg's waste management.

A new funding model for Winnipeg’s garbage collection has been approved by the mayor’s inner circle.

The executive policy committee voted in favour of the new rate model Tuesday, which would implement higher fees for the nearly $29 million cost of solid waste collection, disposal, recycling, and waste collection services.

“We did all we could to look at it, and at the end of the day, there was no added financial advantage to making any changes (to the proposal),” Mayor Scott Gillingham told reporters Tuesday.

He added he and Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarksi) worked with the department on other options, but they ultimately found spreading the fees out over 10 years instead of three would actually cost ratepayers more.

If the proposal is adopted by city council, residents would have to pay $63 quarterly or $254 a year.

“There are many services that residents are getting for this one fee. Yes, it’s a significant increase. There’s no denying that, but at the end of the day, we do have to do a cost recovery for all of the services that are included in that one fee,” he said.

The new rate model will next go to city council for approval.

- With files from CTV’s Kayla Rosen and Carie Wilson