With the calendar having flipped to 2019 folks will in some cases be looking at new fees associated with city services. Increases, as outlined in this document, include the cost of an 18 hole round of golf at Wheat City Golf Course going up to $37 in stead of last year’s $36. The cost of a plot in the Cemetery is now $1915 after having been $1825.
One particular increase that’s getting a little more attention is the cost for you as a residential vehicle driver to take a load to the dump (not to be confused with weekly curbside collection, which is unchanged). As part of changes that received 2nd and 3rd reading at December 17th’s council meeting, loads of up to 500kg now cost $5... more than double 2018’s $2. As recent as 2016 Brandon had been one of the rare municipalities that did not charge a fee for such residential loads.
Two schools of thought emerge. On one hand, that big of an increase (150%) is bound to be a system shock to those that had become accustomed to just $2 (or $0 before that). Habits have been formed around that previous cost and some may be forced to change as a result. On the other hand the number crunching behind running a municipal landfill is obviously such that these kinds of fees are necessary in so many other cities. Portage la Prairie for example charges $10 for a personal vehicle with a load of up to 200kg. Yorkton last year was $8. Saskatoon a $15 entrance fee.
An active discussion has been started on eBrandon where folks have taken the opportunity to have their say. You can have yours too via the attached discussion link.