Cumberland residents will see a slight decrease in their solid waste collection user fees.
Because the Village has signed on with Multi Material BC, (MMBC), it will receive a financial subsidy for residential curbside recycling collection.
According to his report, Village manager of operations Rob Crisfield expects to have $46,930 left over per year after program administration and education costs. The 2014 subsidy will be prorated as the program will be rolled out in May.
Crisfield asked council for direction regarding what to do with the extra money, noting solid waste collection rates are expected to rise significantly in the coming years and putting the money into reserves could be a good idea.
He added the money could also be used to lower fees now for residents, noting fees could be lowered $33.03 per home per year, with 2014 prorated to $18.86, if the entire subsidy is applied.
Council voted to use half of the subsidy to lower solid waste collection fees now for residents, and put the other half into reserves to soften the expected increases in the future.
writer@comoxvalleyrecord.com
