Several fees set by the Town of Olds are rising in a new consolidated bylaw passed by town council.
The new rates take effect Jan. 1, 2019, except Sportsplex rates, which take effect on July 1, 2019.
The new bylaw will receive an annual review every September in conjunction with the regular budget process.
In terms of changes in rates, director of community services Doug Wagstaff says that there is no one significant change but stresses that the biggest change is the annual review.
“Mostly 2019 was tweaking the fees; many had not been reviewed in several years. "Reviewing on an annual basis helps to avoid large jumps, and provides residents and staff with the knowledge that there will annually be reviews to provide input,” he said.
Business licensing fees will be going up $25 for residential and non-residential business.
“Development and building permit fees have not been adjusted since 2008,” said Wagstaff. “There is a change in the fee structure and a number of adjustments to reflect current industry practice.”
Building permit fees are based on the value of a project. The cost of a permit is rising from $6 for every $1,000 of project value to $7.50 for every $1,000 of project value for the first $1million of value. After that, it will range from $4.20 per $1,000 of remaining value up to $5.50 of remaining value.
Sportsplex ice youth fees are rising $5 an hour.
Fares to ride the Sunshine Bus are rising by a loonie, from $4 a ride to $5 a ride.
Water, wastewater and solid waste will also increase.
Water rates will rise five cents per cubic metre, wastewater rates will increase by 10 cents per cubic metre, and solid waste rates are rising by $ 3.38 per month.
Additionally fire response fees will see an increase "to bring our fees in line with what is industry standard for billing as set by Alberta Transportation."
In the case of false alarms, if they have to respond for a third time within one year, the fee will be $615, up from $250.
"False alarm fees have been changed to ensure that resources are not being needlessly summoned multiple times.
“The increase of home security systems and calls associated with them has increased in recent years and adds to the cost burden of our service when members are called to respond only to be informed that they are not needed on arrival. This is also in line with industry practice,” said Wagstaff.
Wagstaff says that the benefit of amalgamating the bylaws is that it will keep things clean and simple; people will not have to track several bylaws. This way the town will only have to amend one bylaw, as opposed to several each year.
“Having a consolidated rates bylaw is more easily accessible for both residents and employees. The town will have an annual review of all rates, presented to council in September," ” said Wagstaff.
“An amalgamated rate schedule is something we have been working towards for a couple of years and we are now implementing it."
