Item - 2023.EX10.5

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt, effective January 1, 2024, the interim Solid Waste Management Services Rates and Fees as summarized by customer group in Appendix A to the report (November 21, 2023) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services and detailed in Solid Waste Management Services Municipal Code Chapter 441 in Appendix B to the report (November 21, 2023) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services.

2. City Council amend Municipal Code Chapter 441 – Fees and Charges, and any other necessary Municipal Code Chapters as may be required to give effect to City Council's decision.

3. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce any necessary Bills required to give effect to City Council's decision and City Council authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary refinements, including stylistic, format and organization, as may be identified by the City Solicitor, the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services.

4. City Council direct that all the interim rates, fees and charges set out in Appendix A to the report (November 21, 2023) from the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, adopted by City Council in Recommendations 1 and 2 above, continue in full force and effect until such time as they are amended or repealed by City Council.

This report recommends the adoption by City Council of interim 2024 Solid Waste Management Services (SWMS) Rates and Fees as set out in this report. The adoption of these interim rates and fees is requested in advance of the 2024 Tax and Rate Supported Operating and Capital Budgets to establish these rates and service fees and provide City staff with the necessary authority to implement them effective January 1, 2024. The proposed interim rates are consistent with the 10-year financial modeling and annual rate increase requirements presented during the 2023 Budget process.

The interim rates may be amended by City Council when the 2024 Rate Supported Operating and Capital Budgets are approved, which is expected in Quarter 1 of 2024.

This report recommends an interim 3% increase in SWMS rates and fees effective January 1, 2024. This recommended increase, shown in Table 1 below by customer grouping, is consistent with long term rate modeling detailed as part of the 2023 budget process and will allow Solid Waste Management Services to maintain all current service levels and allocate sufficient funds to the Waste Management Reserve to finance future capital needs.

Table 1: Interim Solid Waste Management Services Rates and Fees effective January 1, 2024