Belleville Council rejects $0.50 garbage bag tag price increase which would raise $213,900 per year

During the 2023 Operating Budget meeting, Belleville Council rejected a $0.50 garbage bag tag price increase from $3 to $3.50 (item D7-29), which would have raised an additional $213,900 in revenues to reduce the tax bill. Councillors said homeowners are already behind the eight ball with higher costs of living.

The increase was one of the most debated line items in the budget. Councillors argued that the increase would be a breaking point for some households, and would lead to more garbage dumping and cost more in the long run to send city by-law out to find out who’s thrown what, where.

It could also be due to the recent Capital Budget Survey, which found that respondents were fairly supportive of increasing most fees, with the exception of Bag Tags:

Participants were asked whether they would be in favor of user fees increases, and if so, which specific fees they would support increases to. While nearly 15% of the responses did not support increases to any of the user fees, respondents were fairly supportive of increasing most fees, with the exception of Bag Tags. Apart from Bag Tags and Transit Fares, which received just slightly less support, potential increases to other user fees, including Dog Tags, Pools, and Recreation Programs, were supported by over 30% of respondents. Arenas and Sports Fields were the most supported areas, receiving support from over 40% and 50% of respondents, respectively.

2023 Capital Budget Survey Results

Councillor Carr echoed a need shared by his colleagues to pare the budget down even further for the sake of struggling homeowners, especially “age-in place seniors” who are watching every dime as the cost of living spirals amid inflationary times.

Neighbouring communities all have higher bag tag fees:

• PEC: $3.50 as of 2025
• Quinte West: $3.25 as of 2024
• Kingston: First is free, then $4

Belleville’s PAYT (Pay-As-You-Throw) fee was $1 in 2009 and has been $3 since 2017. Adjusted for inflation in Ontario, the current cost of a bag tag would be approximately $3.68.