The Town is proposing changes to the current garbage by-law and special services levy that would see both limits placed on residential garbage bags picked up per week as well as potential rate increases for commercial property owners. At its meeting last Tuesday, Council gave first reading to By-Law 3114 and Special Services Levy 01/2013 which include limiting garbage pick ups to two bags of waste per week for residential property owners, making commercial property owners be responsible for the rental of their own dumpsters if they choose to do so, and the reduction of commercial pickup to one day per week. Second and third readings must still be made on the by-law and levy, while a public hearing is scheduled for March 6 at 7 p.m. at the Town Office's council chambers. As part of the changes, residential property owners will have to purchase additional bag tags if they wish to have any more than two bags of garbage picked up per week at their property. The figure is not set, but Mayor Ken Waddell said the figure currently being discussed per bag tag is $3. The bag tag cost is anticipated to be priced out on a cost recovery basis. The changes to commercial pickup occurring only once-weekly will affect several establishments. Mayor Waddell noted about 10-15 businesses currently get two to three garbage pick ups per week. The current special service has been in place since 2006, and the Town noted costs for providing garbage services has increased dramatically since then. Last year, the Town realized an unaudited deficit of just over $167,000 in its garbage and recycling services which was covered through general taxation. With the new proposed rates, as well as the implementation of bag tags, council expects to cover those costs in 2013 without delving into the general taxation funds. “Council has recognized that the garbage/recycling services has been subsidized on an ever increasing basis for the past 10 years,” Waddell told The Neepawa Press in a follow-up interview. “Taxation dollars need to go to fire, police, snow clearing, recreation and many other services that are not tied to a specific address. “Garbage/recycling is very address-specific for volume and should be on a fee for service basis.” The Town has also noted the new changes are an effort to encourage more recycling and composting, both residentially, with the bag tag implementation, and commercially. The bag tags are not required for recycling. “The new by-law will tie fees much more closely to volumes. Businesses can reduce their garbage tonnage and costs by recycling more material,” Waddell explained. The changes to the special service tax base rates won't affect residential rates, which will remain at $75 per year, but commercial properties will pay up to $1,000 on proposed set rates. Commercial properties with bins will be charged on a per bin basis. Changes are also proposed to the special services levies for 2014 and 2015. The proposed rates are available online at neepawa.ca