Lloydminster administration has signaled a potential review of free landfill access for residents, but councillors did not directly question what that could mean for users during a recent committee meeting.
The issue surfaced during a presentation on the city’s Integrated Waste Management Master Plan at the GPC meeting on March 16. Administration outlined a growing gap between operating costs and current revenues.
“Everybody with a Lloydminster address can come to the landfill for free,” administration told council. “The figures we’re looking at right now necessitate a program review to ensure that we’re recovering our cost.”
The comment suggests a shift could be coming to a long-standing service, but the possibility of charging residents was not directly addressed by council during the discussion.
Administration said the total cost of waste disposal, including long-term environmental liability, is now about $164 per tonne. In-town rates currently sit at $95.50 per tonne, leaving a gap between what the service costs and what is collected.
“The city needs to actively adjust the rates with a goal of full cost recovery,” administration said.
While councillors asked questions about long-term planning, sustainability and overall system costs, none directly asked whether residents could face new or increased fees to use the landfill.
That left a key question unanswered.
If the city moves toward full cost recovery, one of the largest policy decisions will be whether residents continue to receive free access, or whether user fees are introduced or expanded.
Administration noted that long-term liabilities, including closure and post-closure care, account for roughly 35 per cent of landfill costs. Those obligations remain regardless of how the system is structured.
The presentation also highlighted broader financial pressures, including the need to explore new revenue sources and improve operational efficiency.
Council did not make any decisions during the meeting. The master plan is expected to return for approval at a future meeting, where more detailed policy discussions are likely.
For now, administration has raised the issue.
Council has yet to weigh in on what comes next.
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City residents that don’t pay property taxes should pay to use the landfill
So, renters? their property taxes are worked into their rent. Also, how would they do this?
If you start charging residents to use the landfill, the whole city will look like a landfill site and who will then clean up the ensuing mess? City workers? If so where will that money come from.
Overseas some places are charging high rates to get rid of the garbage and there is an enormous amount of illegal dumping going on in the regular streets. Very dirty looking. Is this what you want?
Given how much littering I see in Lloyd people likely wouldn’t take their trash to the dump if they got paid for it. Much more attractive to chuck it out the window at the Tim’s drive thru.
It really comes down to being a decent human being. But i suppose trash just creates more trash. If I couldn’t find away to dispose of my trash, I surely wouldnt be leaving it on the side of the road.