New curbside waste collection fees approved

The cost of curbside waste collection is rising in Steinbach after council approved new rates for 2025, 2026 and 2027.

The last time the special levy was set was in 2022, when rates for that year and the two following years were approved.

The current rate of $155 per home, which pays for garbage and recycling pick-up, will rise 4.5 percent for 2025 to $162. The following year will see an increase of 3.7 percent to $168 and rates for 2027 will increase 3.6 percent to $174.

With weekly pickups scheduled, that results in a change of $2.98 per pickup in 2024 to $3.35 per pickup in 2027.

The summary created by the city stated that system operating costs have increased which require the changes.

There were no members of the public at the hearing.

Coun. Michael Zwaagstra made the motion to approve, noting this is the renewal of an existing levy.

“Nothing is being changed in regards to the service that we’re providing,” he said. “This is simply adjusting the fees accordingly to make sure we’re recovering our costs.”

Council gave first and second reading to the motion which will be forwarded to the municipal board for review and approval.