If your kids want to play a game of shinny hockey on a town rink, that’ll cost you starting Jan. 1.
During Monday’s (Dec. 5) strategic initiatives standing committee meeting, councillors were given new rate sheets for town user fees and charges that will go into effect as of Jan. 1.
On average, fees for services such as dog licenses and monthly pool passes will be going up between seven and nine per cent, but there are a few new fees being added into the mix such as an $80 fee for aqua therapy per participant, per lesson set.
Youth shinny at the Eddie Bush Arena or Centennial Park Arena will now cost $5 per participant per class, and senior shinny will now cost $7 per participant per class. Previously, there was no charge for the drop-in play.
“It is important to ensure that user fees allow for the recovery of costs associated with the delivery of services and programs, and for the ongoing maintenance of the facilities, equipment, and other infrastructure that we operate,” said Treasurer Monica Quinlan.
Quinlan said increases in 2023 are due to factors such as higher wages, inflationary increases, increased costs for utilities and higher costs for equipment purchases and maintenance.
“Fees have always been calculated on a cost-recovery basis,” she said.
Every year, as part of the budget process, staff review the current fees and charges and provide requested changes, additions or deletions to their fees.
Other increases in 2023 include marriage licence fees (from $138 to $150), the cost of adult swim lessons (from $89 to $95 per participant per lesson set), and sailing school lessons for all age groups will be increasing by seven per cent.
One major reduction will see the fees for busker licenses eliminated completely for residents, although a license will still be needed. Non-resident busker fees will be reduced to $20 from $55.
“This is based on several factors, including a scan of neighbouring municipalities fees and discussions with current and past buskers who felt the fee was a barrier to participate,” noted Deputy-Treasurer Jennifer Graham in her report to councillors.
Also newly added this year will be a seasonal boat launch fee for non-residents ($100) and combined seasonal boat launch and parking pass for non-residents ($200). During the discussion, Deputy Mayor Tim Fryer asked if any reciprocal agreements had been reached with neighbouring municipalities.
“There are not,” said Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Dean Collver. “We don’t get relief from Wasaga Beach, or the Town of the Blue Mountains regarding boat launch or parking.”
“We’re opening up the scope. Initially, we did have a package opportunity for people in our neighbouring municipalities. The challenge was, if you lived outside those municipalities, you didn’t have access to our services,” he said.
Coun. Christopher Baines offered some perspective regarding docking fees.
“The cost for docking my 22-foot boat in the Township of Georgian Bay, albeit in a private marina, is $1,850 for the season. Here, as I make out, it is $1,320, which is a deal, in my opinion, and very reasonable,” said Baines.
Coun. Deb Doherty said she was pleased to see the overall changes matching inflation.
“We’re being challenged to keep our expenses down, so if we can offset with revenues that are actually covering our costs... then that’s a good thing,” she said.
Doherty asked if the cost increase for Bronze Cross and Bronze Medallion/emergency first aid swim lessons could instead be held to 2022 amounts, as the town had expressed difficulty in finding and hiring qualified lifeguards.
“It could be one less deterrent for anyone who is interested in getting qualified,” she said.
Mayor Yvonne Hamlin agreed.
“We’re having such a hard time and the pool isn’t open at times. It’s not been a great situation for our residents,” she said.
A motion to hold the fees for those specific programs to 2022 levels was passed unanimously.
Hamlin also said there is a program through the town where residents that can demonstrate financial need can apply for relief for the costs of town recreation programs.
After discussions, council voted unanimously in favour of enacting the changes to existing fees and charges effective Jan. 1, 2023. Deputy Mayor Tim Fryer declared a conflict and didn’t vote on the section regarding changes to fees for taxi companies. Coun. Brandon Houston and Coun. Kathy Jeffery were absent.
The decision will need to be ratified at the next regular meeting of council before going into effect.
To see all the changes to town user and service fees in 2023, click here.
