Ottawa property owners should brace themselves for an increase on their 2010 tax bill, as well as the possibility of new charges for city services.
A city committee wants taxpayers to pay a $68-service fee for Ottawa's new green bin composting program, as well as increased costs for current blue and black box recycling. The user fees would be similar to the existing charge for garbage pick-up.
"This council started with this two years ago when we moved garbage collection and disposal off the tax bill, which meant you were paying for it based on the value of your home and made it a flat fee," said city treasurer Marian Simulik.
If council approves the proposed charges for green bin and recycling, more than $100 will be added to your annual service fees.
"In this case, we have charges being separated out and being applied equally to everybody, meaning that it really becomes a separate form of a tax that can easily be raised," said Coun. Rick Chiarelli.
Every household currently pays for recycling whether they have access to the program or not. Under the proposed changes, only residents who have access to green bin and recycling services will be charged. Residents who qualify for the services will not be able to opt-out of the payments.
Although the city is not finished the budget process yet, property owners in Ottawa are already facing a six per cent tax increase. The proposed user fees would be on top of that.
"It is confusing to a certain degree, but we will be disclosing to them what the new user fees (would be)," said Simulik.
Residents will have a chance to voice their opinions on the user fee proposal on Nov. 10. The city's budget will be tabled on Dec. 9.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Karen Soloman
