Council sets 2025 fees and rates with adjustments for select services

At the Nov.26 meeting, Council approved Administration’s recommendations to adjust several user rates for Municipal services. The updated rates will take effect April 1, 2025.  While most rates are not being adjusted, increases were made for certain services like utilities, transit, and landfill rates as well as some planning and development services. There are also certain fees that have been decreased or removed. A full list of all the user fees, rates and charges may be found in the Fees Rates and Charges 2025 bylaw.

Adjustments reduce subsidy from the Municipal tax base

The adjustments are expected to generate approximately $6M, which will help offset the cost of delivering services to individual residents and organizations and reduce the subsidy from the Municipal tax base. The current rates for many individual services continue to be subsidized with tax revenue, which is further compounded by inflation and the rising cost of goods and materials.  The Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw is reviewed and adjusted annually to better reflect the cost of providing individual services, reducing the subsidy from the tax base and ensuring a fiscally responsible budget.

Utility rates increase by 10%-15%, in line with other communities.

The updated utility rates for municipal water, wastewater, and certain solid waste services are between 10% to 15% higher than current rates as the RMWB transitions to a full cost recovery model, which is standard practice for municipalities. The changes vary depending on the size of the property’s water meter and between rural, urban, and commercial services.

It will be $2.25 to ride Transit

Beginning April 1, 2025, the fare for a single ride on RMWB Transit in Fort McMurray will be $2.25. The fees for ride booklets, monthly passes, rural transit and the SMART Bus are also being updated. To learn more about public transit in the region, visit rmwb.ca/transit. RMWB transit fees continue to be lower than in many other regions across Canada.      

Updated fees for many Planning and Development permits and services

The rates for residential development permits and most building/construction permits will see increases from 10%-100%, while certain permits, such as gas and propane, will see reductions. Adjustments have also been made to the rates for some commercial permits, applications and other services.

New fee structure in place for some administrative services

The 2025 fees rates and charges bylaw introduces fees for specific services, including a $40 charge for fingerprint destruction and $75 for local record suspension. Additional new fees cover certain ambulance services, community backyard rink applications, and asphalt millings sales in Fort Chipewyan.

Municipal rates remain some of the lowest in Alberta

During the annual review of the Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw, Administration looks at the user rates in similar municipalities. The adjusted Municipal rates remain some of the lowest in Alberta. To view the updated rates and learn more about user fees and charges, visit rmwb.ca/userfees. The Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw No. 24/026 includes the user rates for all Municipal services. This bylaw is aligned with the User Fees and Charges Council Policy FIN-030.   

For questions or more information, contact Pulse at 780-743-7000, 1-800-973-9663, or rmwb.ca/pulse.

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