It’s official.
Homeowners now have to pay for a weekly garbage disposal system three ways; through the general tax levy, through a special tax levy and by purchasing bag tags, if you use more than one bag a week
I am shocked that there have not been more resident complaints. Only Councillor Martin was against this proposal. Given how irresponsible this levy is, I can only guess that most taxpayers put out at least one bag a week and therefore have no concerns.
The bag tag fee increase of 33 per cent puts the 2023 municipal tax increase at 2.89 per cent (including the at least $10,000 cost of managing the new system). Council is now able to promote the small tax increase to the public even though it was arrived at using this very dishonourable system. Rather than do the hard work to reduce costs, they have created this irresponsible system.
The issue was not brought forward to the Waste Diversion Committee. If they are not using a committee of council, why should I bother filling out all those surveys that are coming under the guise of citizen engagement? If they don’t care about the environment, why should I recycle?
Council uses the excuse that residents pay for police, but many don’t use it. Therefore, residents should pay for garbage even if they don’t use it. I also pay for other services I have not used like fire services or sports facilities. When are we going to get a special tax levy on those services?
I am sorry council does not care. I am even sorrier that residents don’t seem to care. This whole policy smells of desperation and shows no leadership when it comes to climate change initiatives.
Jim Wynne
Napanee