TAMRMS#: B06
10.1
REQUEST FOR DECISION
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Bylaw 15/2025 Utility Bylaws (1st, 2nd, 3rd Readings)
Presented by: Terra Shmyr, Financial Operations Controller - Revenue Services & Utilities
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RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
1. That Bylaw 15/2025 be read a first time.
2. That Bylaw 15/2025 be read a second time.
3. That unanimous consent be given for consideration of third reading of Bylaw 15/2025.
4. That Bylaw 15/2025 be read a third time.
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SUMMARY
This report presents Bylaw 15/2025 for all three readings on April 15, 2025.
Bylaw 15/2025 is an omnibus bylaw that amends the Residential Solid Waste and Water Bylaw, to allow new utility rates to be implemented on May 1, 2025.
Attached to this Report are copies of the relevant parts or Schedules of the two utility bylaws as they will look if Bylaw 15/2025 is passed. Redlining has been used to highlight the amendments.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On February 11, 2025 Council passed the following motion:
AR-25-054
That $1,000,000 of the 2024 Municipal operating surplus be allocated to the Water Reserve.
That the 2025 Utility Budget be adjusted for Council’s approval in conjunction with the annual budget amendment agenda report, along with any required bylaw amendments with any rate change to be effective May 1, 2025.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Approval of the 2025 utility budget adjustments has the following impact on utility rates, effective May 1, 2025:
• $1,000,000 from the municipal operating surplus being transferred into the water reserve results in a reduction of the water SCC rate from $7.50 to $7.15.
• Effective April 1, 2025 Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) came into effect. This will shift the cost of recycling from municipalities to producers. While St. Albert will still be in charge of this process and incur costs, St. Albert will be reimbursed by the province. As a result, the recycling flat rate will decrease from $6.54 to $1.40 and the solid waste flat rate will decrease from $10.77 to $10.04.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
N/A
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
Approval of the 2025 budget adjustments will result in a decrease of the water SCC rate, recycling flat rate, and solid waste flat rate effective May 1, 2025.
Compliance & Legal:
The Municipal Government Act provides that Council must adopt a utility operating and capital budget for each calendar year (ss.242 and 245).
From a process perspective, Bylaw 15/2025 should be passed after the 2025 budget adjustments are adopted by Council.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority #5: Financial Sustainability: ensure responsible and transparent fiscal management, decision making and long-term financial sustainability that allows the City to respond to changes to revenue sources.
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
Financial:
Stewardship of development of annual operating and capital budgets for Municipal and Utility operations.
The approved operating and capital budgets shall serve as the financial plan for the City and provide Administration with the direction and resources necessary to accomplish Council’s strategic direction and Council approved services and service levels in accordance with the Services and Service Levels Inventory.
IMPACTS OF ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
N/A
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Report Date: April 15, 2025
Author(s): Terra Shmyr
Department: Financial & Strategic Services
Department Director: Anne Victoor
Managing Director: Diane McMordie
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher