Municipal Garbage Disposal Questions And Answers
ALSO IN THIS SECTION
Return to the main garbage disposal services page for information on collection and bage tags.
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QUESTIONS
How does the City levy ratepayers for garbage services?
Will properties no longer receiving municipal garbage services still have to pay the tax?
Who may apply for the optional municipal garbage services?
Are single residential homeowners paying for municipal garbage collection and disposal?
How do you police the number of bags you collect?
What if only some of my commercial tenants want municipal pick up?
How is garbage collection being provided for group homes, daycares and not-for-profit groups?
ANSWERS
Q: How does the City levy ratepayers for garbage services?
A: The cost of garbage collection for residential properties will be funded through the general tax rate. Garbage collection in this case means the cost for maintaining and operating the infrastructure used for collecting garbage.
Commercial properties within the Downtown Business Improvement Area, multi-residential properties and condominium corporations may now pay a fee for optional garbage disposal services. Garbage disposal in this case means garbage pickup and disposal. The cost for garbage disposal is not included in the tax rates for these properties — only for residential properties. Only residential property owners receive basic garbage services without paying a fee.
Q: Will properties no longer receiving municipal garbage services still have to pay the tax?
A: Properties no longer receiving municipal garbage services will still be levied the cost of garbage collection through the general tax rate. Garbage collection in this case means the cost for maintaining and operating the infrastructure used for collecting garbage. The cost of disposing garbage is not included in the tax rates for properties other than residential properties.
A: As it is important for the City to maintain a clean and tidy downtown, Council designated the Downtown Kingston Business Improvement Area as a special service area; therefore, commercial properties inside the DBIA have the option of applying for service.
Q: Who may apply for the optional municipal garbage services?
A: The following may apply for the optional municipal garbage services:
- Condominium corporations on behalf of all owners.
- Multi-residential/new multi-residential property owners.
- Commercial property owners within the Downtown Business Improvement Area on behalf of businesses in their buildings.
Q: Are single residential homeowners paying for municipal garbage collection and disposal?
A: Yes, every home owner pays for municipal garbage collection and disposal. Every residential property receives service, and each residential tax bill will include a disposal levy calculated on the property assessment. The difference is that multi-residential/new multi-residential properties and commercial properties within the Downtown Business Improvement Area have the option of participating in the program, and therefore, the fee for garbage disposal is only added to the bill, if the service is provided.
Q: How do you police the number of bags you collect?
A: The same way we do now. We will be aware of the number of units for each address we collect and will only collect up to the maximum number of bags for that address.
Q: What if only some of my commercial tenants want municipal pick up?
A: You may apply for the units that want municipal collection. We will only collect bags from those units that have been signed up for the service.
Q: What if I have vacant units?
A: You may apply later in the year should you lease the space. We will pro- rate the fee to the closest full month. However, there will be no rebate for units which become vacant part way through the year.
Q: How is garbage collection being provided for group homes, daycares and not-for-profit groups?
A: In general, garbage disposal service will be provided to those properties paying residential taxes or performing a residential purpose at a residential level. However, it is important to note that collection policies apply to properties, not tenants. This means that if an organization leases space in a property taxed at a commercial rate, they will not be entitled to garbage collection unless they are in the Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the property owner has opted in for service. It is important to note that commercial properties outside the BIA are not charged for garbage disposal in their taxes.
Collection policies for group homes, daycares, not-for-profit groups and residents with medical needs will be addressed by the Environment, Infrastructure & Transportation Policies Committee and Council
