BARRHEAD - Town of Barrhead councillors approved an amended rates and fees schedule, passing the bylaw with the same name in three straight readings at their Dec. 10 meeting.
The bylaw, which governs the fees the municipality charges residents and even itself to rent or access town services, from the hourly rate of a Barrhead Regional Fire Services apparatus to the admission to the swimming pool, was scheduled to be passed at the previous council meeting, but they tabled further discussion until administration could answer questions on the fee structures of several items.
Specifically, the council wanted to know more about other communities' rates for burial plots at their municipal cemeteries at the request of Coun. Anthony Oswald believed the town rates were too low at $450 for single, single, and double-depth lots.
Legislative Services and development director Cheryl Callihoo said that after surveying area municipalities, they learned the town's rates were on the low side and adjusted them to $600.
Callihoo noted that most of the other fees remain unchanged, with one exception being the amount the municipality charges for its heavy equipment and trades equipment.
The other category that saw an increase was the hourly rates of the Barrhead Regional Fire Services charges the province when they respond to calls on provincial highways to match the government's fee schedule.
Oswald noticed the bylaw included the fee charged for a private business and asked the administration why it was included in the town's fee schedule.
"[The company] does the snow removal on behalf of our community peace officer who clears the snow of residents when they do not comply [with the snow clearing requirement in the Community Standards Bylaw]," Callihoo replied.
Coun. Rod Klumph asked if the burial plot fee included ongoing maintenance in perpetuity.
Callihoo said no, adding that the municipality charged a separate $100 fee when it sold grave plots.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com