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Region Juggling Waste and Transit Costs

Waste management costs hold steady, transit service increasing

The Niagara Region's budget committee has started it's review of spending for waste management, such as garbage and recycling collection, and Niagara Transit, for next year's budget.

There's some decent news when it comes to paying for waste management.

Budget Chair Wayne Redekop says they were expecting a roughly 6% increase, but after crunching the numbers, areas like Fort Erie will pay less.  "In the case of Fort Erie, it'll be less than a dollar and a half a year... at least it's not an increase.  And there are a few municipalities where there'll be a slight increase, very marginal, maybe 25 cents, or a buck and a half."

He adds Niagara Transit budget will go up 5.9%, as service will be increasing in certain areas.

He notes Fort Erie service is increasing 25%, meaning 28% cost increase.  "Lincoln has an increase of 17%, their number of hours is also going up significantly.  And then you've got some municipalities that are going down, that's primarily a reduction of service hours."

To get a better understanding of how the municipal tax system works, click here to watch a video from the region.

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