MINTO – Residents here can expect to see changes to the town’s rates and fees, beginning on Jan. 1.
At a Dec. 16 Minto council meeting, staff recommended user fee increases across six categories:
– administration;
– community services;
– public services;
– licensing;
– water and sewer; and
– planning.
The majority of changes are in the administration category, with four related to marriage documents.
Effective Jan. 1, marriage licences will increase from $120 to $140 with rehearsal fees increasing from $75 to $100. Other changes include:
– civil marriage ceremony in the council chamber during business hours, increasing from $200 to $250; and
– civil marriage ceremony outside the council chamber, up from $300 to $375.
“In some cases, fees have been updated to better align with comparable municipalities or to address changes to service delivery,” deputy treasurer Tawnya Robertson told council.
“It’s important to note municipal rates and fees are not intended to generate a profit but rather to ensure the cost of certain services is shared equitably between users of the services and the broader tax base.”
Hosting small gatherings in arena auditoriums, which is a community service, has increased nine per cent.
The 2025 fee was $142 and the 2026 fee is $155.
“We’ve included a new section … for the Palmerston Railway Heritage Museum related to some filming requests at the facility,” Robertson said.
Some of the new charges include:
– base film permit fee, $300;
– peak season for small crew daily rate, $600;
– off season for small crew daily rate, $300;
– peak season, full museum closure daily rate, $3,000;
– off season, full museum closure daily rate, $1,500; and
– refundable damage deposit, $1,000.
The town’s dog licensing has been increased by 25%. The 2025 tag fee was $20; it is now $25.
For those wanting a zoning amendment, this may be the time, as the fee has dropped 20% from $10,000 to $8,000. Those seeking minor variances aren’t so lucky, as that fee has increased 25% from $2,000 to $2,500.
Other changes include:
– 911 emergency replacement sign post, $15 to $30;
– pool rental, $150 to $155;
– pool program, individual swim team, $60 to $75;
– pool program, family swim team, $150 to $175;
– fitness classes, $22 to $25;
– grassroots sports (ice), $170 to $175;
– after-school programs per week, $60 to $65; and
– after-school programs per day, $16 to $16.25.
Council approved the rates and fees unanimously.
