Curbside Re-cycling Costs

I have received information from the City of St. John’s concerning curbside re-cycling costs.

For a house assessed at $100,000, the impact on city taxes will be $40 - $50 per annum. Obviously, for a $200,000 house, the impact will be $80 - $100.

This is information we have not heard from any councillor, including Mayor O’Keefe. It should be discussed and debated in council chambers. Why are councillors not asking citizens, “are you prepared to pay this cost in 2009 and accept an increase in your city tax?”

For no matter what, unless the city cut backs on services or finds efficiencies within their current structure, citizens are going to have to pay for curbside re-cycling. This will be done through a higher mil rate or increased assessment values. Or is the city hoping another level of government will come along and provide on-going funds?

Another question to ask is: "If the city can't afford the re-cycling costs in 2009 how is it going to afford them in 2010?"

The above figures are based on the cost of operating the MRF (Materials Re-cycling Faciltiy), bi-weekly curbside pick-up, “Blue Bag” starter kits, and collection from narrow streets plus overtime costs.

Ask your councillor for their opinion on this matter and let’s hope they don’t re-cycle the line they are spinning to us now - "the city can’t afford it".

UPDATE:

I have received further information from the city and to raise $1 million via residential and business taxes, a house valued at $200,000 would have to contribute an annual amount of $25.80. Therefore the contibution for the $3 million curbside re-cycling programme for this household would be $77.40 The above figure was for an increase in residential taxes only.