SUNDRE – Council recently approved the municipality’s 2023 fees and rates bylaw, with most of them set to remain the same as last year with the exception of modest increases for the Sundre Arena as well as business licences.
“We do look at items like benchmarking – so, communities that we are comparable against – as well as cost recovery,” Chris Albert, director of corporate services, told council during the regular Nov. 28 meeting.
“Our intent is to cover a portion of the cost through these user fees,” he said.
The municipality’s department heads are on an annual basis directed to review existing rates and determine whether any changes might be warranted. The process involves reviewing how departments are doing compared to budgeted revenues, how much the budgeted revenue has changed for the upcoming year, how the associated costs are changing and how the fees compare with similar services or facilities.
“For 2023, the recommendation is that the majority of the fees remain the same,” he said. “However, there are a couple of minor changes, the first being the arena.”
To remain competitive with comparable municipalities as well as to ensure cost recovery, he said some changes to the fees were proposed.
Those recommended increases for hourly rates were as follows:
• youth ice user groups to $90 from $87;
• out-of-area youth ice user groups to $120 from $116;
• adult ice user groups to $141 from $139;
• youth party package to $95 from $90; and
• Stick n’ pucks rates for both adults and youth to $4 from $3.50.
As for summer surface rentals at the arena, Albert said administration was recommending an increase to $25 from $23 for youth user groups, as well as a bump to $50 from $46 for adult groups.
“The recommendation with the arena is those rates would go into effect on May 1st, 2023,” he said. “So, once this arena season is over, they go into effect for the next arena season. That just allows user groups to be able to plan for the whole season.”
The other suggested changes to the municipality’s rates and fees pertained to business licences. Those recommended increases were as follows:
• ome-based businesses to $70 from $60;
• out-of-town businesses to $200 from $180;
• general contractors to $1,100 from $1,000;
• five-day temporary to $55 from $50; and
• three-month temporary to $110 from $100.
“These are minor increases that we think are applicable to stay competitive,” he said.
Although the bylaw itself technically comes into effect as of Jan. 1, 2023, he added there are certain rates such as the arena’s that as per the bylaw don’t start until the next user season.
Coun. Jaime Marr sought clarification as to whether proposed business licence fee increases were to remain competitive or a standard increase to keep pace with inflation.
“It is not a standard increase,” said Albert. “We don’t adhere to the methodology of just standard increases. So, it is to remain competitive, it is to cover costs.”
After passing a motion to repeal the current bylaw, council gave all readings to approve and adopt the 2023 fees and rates bylaw.
