Burns Lake’s new fees and charges bylaw alters the cost of some municipal services and adds a few new charges, but according to chief administrative officer Sheryl Worthing, it’s unlikely to have a significant impact on village revenue.
The Corporation of the Village of Burns Lake Fees & Charges Bylaw No. 954, 2015, adopted by council April 14, sets out the fees charged for a variety of municipal goods and services. The list of new or altered fees includes those charged for utility connection, minimum residential monthly metered water service, and some recreation services.
It replaces a similar bylaw passed in 2014. Worthing said changes contained in the new document will not significantly impact the municipality’s budget.
“For this update, the revenue generated has no real significance,” she explained. “The changes are mostly housekeeping items and to ensure that we are at least charging for the cost of installing or replacing an item.”
With bylaw #954, council has changed the way it charges property owners wishing to connect to the municipality’s sewer, water, and storm sewer systems. In the past, property owners wishing to access some of these utilities were charged a flat rate for connection, but from now on, they’ll pay a fee equal to the village’s actual installation cost.
Individuals donating a tree, bench, or hanging flower basket to the municipality under the latter’s Legacy program will also pay actual costs for installing these items.
Worthing noted that the minimum monthly metered residential charge for water has also been increased to $18.30/meter. “Council approved a graduated two-year increase for this rate to bring it in line with the non-metered residential rate,” she explained.
Arena users who wish to cancel their ice rentals will also be charged a fee under the bylaw if they fail to give at least 15 days’ notice. Anyone who breaks or damages a squash racquet at the Lakeside Multiplex can expect a fine of $30.
Bylaw #954 also sets out the rental rates for Burns Lake’s curling facility. Renting an hour of ice time will cost $76, while the summer (“dry floor”) rates are $40/hour for recreational users and $80/hour for any other purpose. The drop-in rate charged children is listed at $7.
Worthing indicated the bylaw will likely be updated again in the second quarter of this year, at which time it will have “budget implications.”