Little Current businesspeople raise concerns with mayor and council
MANITOULIN—With changes to how municipalities handle recycling now mandated by the province, the Northeast Town has decided to let commercial businesses find ways to deal with their own recycling pickup, free from municipal oversight.
“With the revised recycling plan the provincial government takes over the cost of residential recycling only,” a note from Northeast Town staff states. “That leaves the municipality with the challenge of how to cover the expenses of transportation of the institutional, commercial and industrial recycling, which we always want to encourage as recycling is a huge benefit as to the number of years of life left available to our landfill site.”
Staff outlined three options for council to consider. First was a quote from GFL (the current service provider for recycling pickup) of $187.14 per bin plus a 26 percent fuel charge and 13 percent HST annually. Two bins picked up each week (which is a very conservative estimate) would come to $27,710.49.
The second option was to have GFL work individually with businesses to arrange for pickup at the following process: a) $25/month for four blue boxes per week; b) $46.78 per pickup for a two-yard bin; c) $93.58 per pickup for a four-yard bin; d) $140.36 per pickup for a six-yard bin or; e) $187.14 per pickup for an eight-yard bin.
Thirdly was to allow for businesses to bring their recycling to the landfill and pay the town directly for the product deposited at the following rates: a) $266.44 for a half-ton truck or trailer load or b) $133.22 for a partial load.
Staff recommended option two, for businesses to work with GFL directly.
Upon hearing news of the decision, members of the Little Current Business Improvement Area (BIA) voiced their displeasure and called for a meeting with their council representative.
One business family with operations in Little Current wrote to the mayor and council, sharing the correspondence with this newspaper.
Mike and Kristin Luoma and Ed and Mary Laidley wrote: “We are writing as the owners of multiple commercial properties within the Town of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands. Collectively, these properties contribute roughly $25,000 annually in property taxes, paid at a commercial rate that is significantly higher than residential taxation. Despite this substantial contribution, commercial property owners receive comparatively limited municipal services in return. For example, we pay school board levies that we do not utilize, and very few municipal services directly support the operation of our businesses.
“One of the few core services from which commercial property owners do directly benefit is waste collection, including garbage and recycling. For that reason, the recent announcement that commercial properties could now be subject to additional recycling charges—over and above the taxes we already pay—has caused considerable concern.
“Introducing new fees for a fundamental municipal service, especially one already funded through our existing tax contributions, is both unfair and unsustainable for local businesses. Operating a business in a small, rural, and highly seasonal community is already challenging. Adding further costs places an additional burden on the very businesses that provide employment, support residents, and enhance the vibrancy and quality of life in NEMI.
“With the offloading of waste services to GFL, we understand that the municipality may realize operational cost savings. If commercial property owners are now expected to assume a portion of these costs directly, we respectfully ask: Will there be a corresponding reduction in commercial property tax rates to reflect this shift in financial responsibility? Without such an adjustment, this change effectively amounts to double-charging commercial taxpayers for the same service.
“The number of vacant commercial buildings on our main street and in our community clearly reflects the pressures facing brick-and-mortar businesses. Rather than introducing new obstacles, we urge council to view this as an opportunity to demonstrate support for the businesses that continue to invest significantly in NEMI’s economic resilience and long-term sustainability.
“We are not seeking subsidies or special treatment. We are simply asking that a fair portion of the substantial tax dollars we contribute be allocated toward this essential municipal service, as has historically been the case.
“We appreciate the opportunity to raise this concern and look forward to continued dialogue. Our hope is that council will work collaboratively with commercial property owners to arrive at a solution that does not impose additional financial burdens for core services that should reasonably be included within our existing taxation.”
by Alicia McCutcheon
