Saskatoon City Administration is recommending multi-unit homes in the city move from a property tax-based funding model to a utility funded model for residential garbage pickup.

A report goes to the Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services next Tuesday.

In a news release, Brock Storey, Environmental Operations Manager said, “Under the proposed approach, properties would pay directly for the garbage services they receive, based on bin size and collection frequency.”

Administration points out that the current method means multi-unit garbage collection is funded through property taxes, meaning all property taxpayers contribute to the service regardless of whether they receive it. The City currently provides weekly garbage collection to over 80% of the Saskatoon’s multi-unit properties. Under the proposed model, the costs of collection, disposal and program administration would be recovered through utility fees, rather than through property taxes.

Curbside collection moved to being paid as a utility rather than property taxes in 2024.