(File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Garbage report

Council tentatively approves landfill expansion; $0.50 increase to monthly utility bills

Jan 22, 2021 | 3:18 PM

Pending final approval by city council, Prince Albert residents can expect to see a $0.50 increase to the garbage/recycling pickup charge on their monthly utility bills in 2021.

The city’s director of public works, Wes Hicks told paNOW the small increase – which brings the monthly fee to $19.25 – is needed to cover landfill operations and waste pick-up for the coming year.

“It was determined that we would need a small increase to ensure that we stay solvent,” he said. “Because the landfill budget has always been in the black and we would like to remain that way.”

Hicks said no changes to waste collection are planned for 2021, although yard waste pick-up is expected to start earlier, likely around May 1.

Landfill expansion

Freedom and Flexibility

How App-Based Work Creates Economic Opportunity

Dec 12, 2025

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

Dec 10, 2025

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

Meanwhile, council also tentatively approved a $6 million expansion at the landfill during Thursday evening’s sanitation fund budget deliberations.

The need to build a new $3.5 million cell in 2021 has been looming on the horizon for several years, but a meeting in early January was the first time council heard the expansion was now estimated to cost $6 million.

Coun. Don Cody told paNOW the increased cost is because new project will be bigger and have a more high-tech liner that will last for 20 years instead of 10.

“I’m not suggesting for a moment that that isn’t a good thing,” Cody said referring to the expansion’s increased capacity and longevity. “But at the same time it is an extra cost on the people at this point in time and right now when money’s tight that can be a little difficult.”

The city plans pay for project with a 10-year loan. Annual principle and interest payments of $660,000 will be paid from the city’s sanitation fund, which has an annual cash flow of around $1 million a year. However, Cody said they may be able to access some grants to offset the borrowing.

All things considered, Cody said the sanitation budget looks “pretty good” in his view.

“With the new rate, which is $19.25 a month, when you look at that, it’s only 63 cents a day for picking up all your garbage, recyclables and the like,” he said. “So that’s not a bad deal when you think about it.”

The sanitation budget passed Thursday is not final until it’s approved at a regular council meeting.

–

alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom