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Expect utility rate and user fee adjustments for 2023

Photo supplied by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

Despite remaining some of the lowest in Alberta, some rates in the RMWB will be adjusted in the new year.

On Dec. 13, Council approved a series of recommendations from administration to increase fees for certain services, including utilities, transit, ice rentals, and other administrative fees.

“The updated utility rates for municipal water, wastewater, and certain solid waste services are between 10 per cent to 15 per cent higher than current rates. The changes vary depending on the size of the property’s water meter and between rural, urban, and commercial services.”

Public transportation will also see an increase as the fare for a single ride of RMWB Transit in Fort McMurray will be $2.00, starting Apr. 1, 2023.

The Municipality anticipates changes to fees for ride booklets, monthly passes, rural transit and the SMART Bus.

According to the administration, user fees and rates are below provincial averages in urban areas such as Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Medicine Hat and Red Deer.

Most, if not all, changes to user fees and rates in Fort McMurray take effect on Apr. 1, 2023.