Peter Crnogorac
Northern News Services
Friday, January 26, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - City council voted to have all fees and charges consolidated under one bylaw at Monday's council meeting.

City administration made the recommendation at a Jan. 15 committee meeting because the fees were under more than 20 separate bylaws.

The consolidation will make it easier for council to change fee prices in May by only having to alter one bylaw.

"This motion is not to change any fees, but to incorporate all fees into one bylaw," said Dave Devana, director of corporate services for the City of Yellowknife at the Priorities, Policies and Budget Committee meeting on Jan. 15.

Fees that fall under this policy include ones for products, programs, services, public utilities and infrastructure and facilities owned by the city.

Under the amalgamated bylaw, there will be no changes to current fees, but a section would be added dealing with the fee scale for the proposed motion to allow advertising on buses.

Devana said council would decide in May which fees and charges, if any, need to be raised or lowered.

Devana said amalgamating fees and charges into one bylaw would simplify this process, because they would not have to modify every individual bylaw under the fee system as it is now.

Coun. Kevin Kennedy wanted to know what the process would be when council decides on fee changes.

"When this is discussed in May, can it then go to MSC (Municipal Service Committee) to solicit the public," Kennedy asked.

"I'd like to see some... publicity in order for the pubic to have a chance to have input to the changes."

Coun. Shelagh Montgomery said she agreed with Kennedy.

"I think there should be an adequate opportunity for the public to know about these changes," she said.

Devana said the public will be able to make their opinions known after the meeting in May.

Coun. Bob Brooks suggested that council in May look at making the full list of fees and charges bylaws available to the public.

Devana said city administration is thinking about doing just that.

"We envision having a full list of the fees," he said.