CARSTAIRS - Town councillors have voted to increase water and garbage collection rates for 2018.
The votes came during the Nov. 27 council meeting.
Water rates will be rising $0.10 a cubic metre to $2.50 per cubic metre, while garbage will be raised $1 per month.
"The water commission is raising its rates $0.05 a cubic metre so we will be raising ours $0.05 for a total of $0.10," said CAO Carl McDonnell.
"We'll be raising garbage $1 per month; that's to offset the increased costs in garbage and the recycling centre."
The new prices do not take effect until March 1 to give residents time to adjust to the new pricing.
In other council news, council looked at the facility special rates policy.
"We had more discussion," he said. "We'll bring it back to the next meeting for approval. This is where different non-profit organizations in town ask for our facilities for free or for a reduced rate for fundraisers. We're just looking for different ways to handle that."
Council also discussed dog licensing fees.
"Right now people registering their dogs and cats in January, it's free," he said. "If not, dogs have a fee and cats don't. Some councillors would like us to bring back the proposal for cats to have similar fees. So we'll do a little research to that one."
Council has approved changes to the procedure bylaw, which sets out the rules that govern council.
"The procedure bylaw, that is how council is governed," he said. "Those are the rules for council. We had to make an amendment on there based on the new Municipal Government Act. We had to change when they go into camera, the reason why is recorded and any attendees is recorded."
Council reviewed the town's quality management plan with the province, which was previously for building inspections only.
"This will extend it to electrical, plumbing and gas," he said. "Our inspectors who we contract will inspect those on all new homes and any permits that are pulled."
McDonnell said starting on Dec. 1 every homebuilder in the province must register with the province and be in good standing.
"People can check online to see who their builder was or who built their home and whether they're in good standing or not in good standing," he said.
