Skip to content

Garbage system deficit likely up

The islands garbage and recycling system will probably end the year with a larger deficit than expected because the Skidegate Band Council has so far not paid its share of the expenses.Regional district administrator John Holland said the band council owes $93,000 towards the cost of running the island-wide system in 2008, but has paid nothing."They haven't paid anything at all," Mr. Holland said, adding he has met with the band council to discuss the situation, to no avail.The regional district did increase the amount it requested from Skidegate when it passed the waste system budget in March. It also increased Old Massett's contribution, the property tax requistion, the tipping fees, and the monthly fee paid by islanders who don't live on reserve.Skidegate and Old Massett's contributions are based on their population and are equivalent to the $22 per month paid by other islanders for garbage pickup and disposal.In all, the regional district anticipated spending $885,000 to run the islands garbage system this year, so the amount Skidegate owes makes up more than 10 percent of the budget. The money goes towards staff wages for the four people who work at the landfill site, equipment, maintenance of the landfill site, and recycling."That is going to put extra pressure on it," Mr. Holland said. "There will be a shortfall in revenues."