Ottawa residents could soon be charged a composting and recycling fee of more than $100 if council approves a budget recommendation from the city's planning and environment committee.
The committee wants taxpayers to pay a $68-service fee for the city's new green bin composting program, as well as increased costs for current blue and black box recycling services.
"People understand that when you introduce a new service you have to pay for it and they want us to bring it forward in the most principled and financially responsible way," said Coun. Peter Hume on Tuesday.
The city says the green bin fee will not be part of your property taxes. Instead, it will be billed as a service fee, similar to what is already charged for garbage collection.
The proposal also includes changing how the city's blue and black box recycling program is paid for.
Previously, every household paid for recycling whether they had access to the program or not. Now, the city wants to remove this service from your property taxes and only charge residents who have access to it.
If the proposal is accepted, each household will be charged $41 for recycling.
"We could either throw it on the general taxes and everyone pays regardless if they receive the service or not, or we could focus on those who are receiving the service on a fee-for-service basis," Hume said.
The fees will be charged on a yearly basis, hiking your service bill for curb-side pickup to $195. Residents who live in areas that are enrolled in the programs will not be able to opt-out of the services.
Residents will have a chance to voice their opinions on the proposal on Nov. 10. The issue will go before council in January -- the same month the city is scheduled to start collecting organic waste from Ottawa households.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's John Hua
