St. John's council proposes hikes in a host of city fees

The City of St. John's is proposing a host of fee changes as part of its program review for its 2017 budget.

The hikes will affect recreation programs, parking permits, tickets, Metrobus riders and inspection services.

"We looked at all of our fees, many of which have not increased in many, many years," said Coun. Jonathan Galgay, chair of the city's committee on finance and administration.

"Council agreed that the time was right now to increase these fees."

Galgay says residents have asked the city to look for new sources of revenue — and the estimated $1 million in new money raised will help reduce tax rates.

"I think it's fair to say that you have to expect a certain level of resistance whenever you make change," Galgay added.

"We have an overall larger picture to look at, the administration of the city. We have to look at our mill rates and that's what people have asked us to do."

If passed as part of the budget, the new increases would come into effect Jan. 1, 2017.

"It's very difficult when you make these decisions because you know some people can afford them and others cannot," he said.

Downtown parking fees to increase

One of the groups to be hardest hit by the potential changes are people who live downtown and park on the street.

In a news release Wednesday, the city said the cost of a residential parking permit will more than double, from $6 to $15 a year. The cost of some special permits will also go up.

"It actually costs the city $25 per household to administer the parking permit programme because we have dedicated staff who are responsible for going out and doing the enforcement," Galgay said.

The city said parking rates for not-for-profit organizations will not change, but monthly commercial rates to park at a city lot downtown will rise on average $30 a month.

The plan proposes a similar increase in 2018.

Parking fines also jump

Parking fines will also increase by between $5 and $20 per ticket, depending on the infraction. The city said it issues around 4,000 parking permits to downtown residents who do not have off-street parking.

The city said this increase is partly due to a provincial government decision not to have the Crown prosecute contested tickets in future, meaning the city now has to hire a prosecutor to do that work.

Metrobus users will also see an increase, with tickets to ride the bus going from $2.25 to $2.50. Metrobus and GoBus pass prices will have an equivalent increase.

A number of recreational fees will also increase. A swim in a city pool will increase $1 per swim, but outdoor pools will continue to be free of charge.

The city will also start charging groups to use the Foran Room at city hall.

Building inspection fees also targeted

A number of fees related to building inspections will also increase, the city said, with the cost of a permit doubling for projects started without a permit as a deterrent.

"We are coming down hard on those people, for example, and that will virtually double." said Galgay

​A full list of the proposed fees can be found on the City of St. John's website.