‘Using reserves this way is like an addiction … It provides no benefit to users, and once you start, it becomes almost impossible to [stop],’ says Don Rennick, ‘It\u2019s no wonder that people are baffled by this process’<\/p>\n
North Bay\u2019s City Council moved two items forward Wednesday night\u2014a proposed increase to Merrick Landfill tipping fees and the 2026 water and wastewater rates\u2014after a meeting marked by concerns over rising costs, future planning, and how the City uses its reserves.<\/p>\n
Only seven Council members were present during the committee meeting. Councillors Mark King, Chris Mayne, and Jamie Lowery were absent. Councillor Sara Inch attended the first vote but not the second.<\/p>\n
See: Landfill deficit and fees, water rate increases headed to committee for public input<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n The night opened with the landfill fee item and drew less debate.<\/p>\n Mayor Peter Chirico, Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield, and Councillors Lana Mitchell, Gary Gardiner, Mac Bain, Justine Mallah, and Sara Inch all voted to move the fee changes forward to Council. Councillor Tanya Vrebosch cast the lone \u201cno\u201d vote, pointing to the item staying on committee for more public discussion.<\/p>\n The proposed changes<\/a> would raise tipping fees from $115 to $120 per tonne on Jan. 1, 2026, and to $125 in 2027. Mattress fees would increase from $25 to $30 next year, and to $35 in 2027. City Staff have said the adjustments are needed to keep up with rising costs and declining tipping volumes.\u00a0<\/p>\n See: North Bay proposes landfill fee increases to offset costs, encourage recycling<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n The second item\u2014the 2026 preliminary water and wastewater rates\u2014drew more attention. Deputy Mayor Horsfield prefaced that the discussion would only surround the rates.<\/p>\n Residents could see water and wastewater rates jump as the 2026 operating budget<\/a> includes an increase of 5.27 per cent, or $1.45 million, Staff say, with roughly $824,000 of the increase earmarked for capital investment.\u00a0<\/p>\n Staff say the budget also includes transfers from capital and operating reserves to mitigate some of the financial impact. The City says North Bay\u2019s water and wastewater reserves<\/a> are at $17.2 million.\u00a0<\/p>\n See: City Council examines water and wastewater budget, rates, and long-term financial plan<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Staff presented a breakdown of the system, its regulatory requirements, and the calculations behind the proposed increases. They say \u201cthe rates are on a full cost recovery basis.\u201d<\/p>\n The proposed rate increase<\/a> would add between $3.58 and $4.18 per month to a typical household water and wastewater bill in 2026. That would bring the average monthly household bill to between $99.27 and $121.75<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Staff add that rates should maintain the current 40 per cent fixed \/ 60 per cent variable<\/a> structure.
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\nThe night\u2019s only public speaker was longtime City Hall critic Don Rennick, who delivered a strong warning about the City\u2019s use of reserves.<\/p>\n