TAMRMS#: B06
11.1
REQUEST FOR DECISION
title
Bylaw 22/2025 - Master Rates Bylaw and Other Bylaws (1st Reading) and Other Policies that affect Fees and Charges
Presented by: Atul Saini, Financial Controller, Financial & Strategic Services
label
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
That Bylaw 22/2025, being a bylaw to amend the Master Rates Bylaw and various other bylaws under which fees, rates and charges are set, be read a first time.
body
SUMMARY
Administration is seeking adjustments to the City's fees, rates, and charges as referenced in Council Policy and established by bylaws, as part of the 2026-2028 Municipal Budget Process.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
Council Policy C-FS-16, Municipal Fees and Charges, provides that the CAO will set certain fees specified in the Policy, that are not prescribed by Council by way of bylaw:
"The CAO shall review and set fees for the programs, services, goods and requirements noted within this policy. The CAO shall also advise Council annually of these fees during the budget process."
Council Policy C-FS-16 also stipulates, in Schedule 11, that if a fee or charge is set in a bylaw, only Council can adjust it:
"Council shall set fees contained within bylaw. The CAO shall make recommendation(s) as to the appropriate fee, as necessary."
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
User fees are a critical element of a municipality's revenue mix and represent a significant portion of the City's revenue stream. Annually, departments review fees considering factors such as market comparables, benchmarks, cost recovery and the methodologies prescribed by Council in Policy C-FS-16 Municipal Fees and Charges that set parameters around the CAO's authority to determine the fees adjustment in the case of fees that are not directly set by Council in a bylaw. This review process supports the City's 'user pay' philosophy such that wherever and to the extent possible, the user of a particular program o...
Click here for full text