Campground rates increasing
Council approved increasing rates to the Anthony Henday Campground but questioned if the 10 per cent bump was high enough.
“Is that enough to get the Lions Club through (the season)?” asked Brian Spiller of the $2 increase. Campground sites will increase from $20 a night to $22 for a serviced site which includes 15-amp power, and from $10 to $12 for a non-serviced site.
The last increase was in 2009.
“They just wanted to do a $2 increase,” explained Shelley Gagnon, director of community services, who had suggested a $5 increase. She said it was worth trying for a year to see if $2 would be enough to maintain operations.
“I think they would prefer a smaller increase on a longer term basis,” she added.
Mayor Jim Romane described the increase as “very reasonable.”
This will be the first year the Innisfail Lions Club takes over operations of the Anthony Henday Campground. Council approved the decision after an in-camera meeting March 26.
The new rates take effect May 1.
Student wage going up
The student wage for summer work at the Town of Innisfail is going up. Council agreed last week to increase the average student wage by more than a dollar.
Currently a summer student working in the public works, parks and recreation departments or at day camps makes $12.98. The price bumps up to $13.32 if they return the following year, maxing out in their third year at $13.68.
Now students will make $14 in their first year, $14.50 their second and $15 their third. At 160 hours a month this averages to a $163 increase for first-year students, $189 in the second year and $212 the third.
“Helen (Dietz, chief administrative officer) looked into this and compared us against other municipalities and we were at the lower end,” explained Coun. Derek Baird to council last week. “We have a good track record of getting students back,” he added.
Yard waste disposal fees waived
Fees for yard cleanup will be free at the transfer station until the end of May. Council agreed to bump the promotion, usually held for the month of May only, up a couple of weeks.
“We've had several calls because of the early spring,” explained Helen Dietz, CAO, of the recommendation.
Curbside pickup won't be available until May 1.
