Fees & Charges Bylaw
UPDATE: DECEMBER 19, 2024
The City of Merritt conducts an annual review of its Fees and Charges Bylaw 2358 to align with cost recovery goals and aim towards achieving market rates comparable to those of other communities. The latest review was approved by Council on December 17, 2024, with updates taking effect on January 1, 2025.
Several changes have been introduced in the updated bylaw. Most adjustments are moderate, reflecting regular inflationary pressures, while others aim to create more equitable charges and align with practices in other municipalities. For example, user fees for services such as the pool, civic centre, and arena currently cover only 16% of their actual costs, a significantly lower percentage compared to other municipalities. These services remain heavily subsidized by the City of Merritt. Similarly, water and sewer operations are not achieving full cost recovery, prompting adjustments to ensure charges more accurately reflect actual usage. One measure was to make the rates more fair; for example, properties with secondary suites, which consume more water and sewer services, now incur higher fees than single-family homes. Cost recovery remains the primary driver of rate changes. As an example, the 2025 cost for single-family residential sewer users is now $212.87 semi-annually.
New fees have also been introduced to address additional costs incurred by the City. For example, the Merritt Fire Rescue department has implemented fees for false alarms. The City has also increased its animal control fees for aggressive and dangerous dogs. Dealing with these types of dogs is staff intensive, often requires legal consultation, and poses a significant risk to staff. To view a more detailed overview of the changes, view the report to council.
It is important to note that the projected rates for future years included in the bylaw are estimates and may be revised during subsequent budget reviews. Also note that some City website pages and forms are still being updated to reflect the changes. If you are uncertain about a fee, please consult the updated 2025 Fees and Charges Bylaw 2358.
For More Information Contact:
City of Merritt
Phone: 250.378.4224
Email: info@merritt.ca