Saskatoon city council talking about garbage utility

Saskatoon city councillors will once again debate a contentious proposal to change garbage collection into a separate utility.

Currently, trash collection is paid for out of property taxes. City administration has repeatedly told council that the money coming in from taxes does not cover the cost of the service.

The issue last went before council on Sept. 24. At that time, city manager Jeff Jorgenson noted that garbage collection was currently costing $2 million more per year than was coming in, with the difference coming out of a reserve fund meant for a replacement landfill.

Administration has proposed a “pay-as-you-throw” system designed to charge homeowners a monthly fee based on what size of garbage bin they use.  The program would also come with a green bin collection system for organics, such as food waste and yard clippings.

Councillors debated the proposal for some 5 hours at their September meeting before voting 6-5 to defer the matter to Oct. 22.