Rural residents in the M.D. of Bonnyville who rely on septic hauling services will soon receive some relief from rising disposal costs.

During its June 9 meeting, council approved a new Septic Disposal Fee Rebate Program designed to offset a significant increase at the Cold Lake Regional Utility Services Commission disposal station.

The commission increased disposal rates from $70 per load to $100 per load, prompting the municipality to explore options to lessen the impact on local taxpayers.

Before bringing forward the rebate program, administration attempted to negotiate a reduced rate for M.D. residents. However, the commission declined to amend its fee structure and instead recommended the municipality create its own rebate program.

Under the new policy, eligible M.D. taxpayers will be able to apply for a rebate of up to $40 per septic load by submitting itemized receipts from their septic hauler. The rebate is capped at $500 per tax roll annually.

The program is available to property owners within the M.D. who are not connected to a municipal wastewater collection and disposal system and who use the Cold Lake Regional Utility Services Commission septic dumping facility.

Administration told council the rebate model was chosen intentionally to ensure municipal support goes directly to taxpayers rather than private hauling companies.

“This was something I heard consistently through my campaign here in October,” said Councillor Caroline Palmer during council’s discussion of the policy.

Applicants will be required to submit receipts showing the service address, date of service, volume, disposal fees and permit number. Applications may be submitted quarterly or after accumulating four qualifying receipts, whichever occurs first.

Approved rebates will be issued directly to taxpayers by cheque.

Council also heard the program gives the municipality greater control over future costs and allows council to adjust funding levels through the annual budget process if needed.

Administration estimates the program could cost approximately $44,000 annually based on current usage levels of roughly 1,100 septic loads per year.

Deputy Reeve Ben Fadeyiw questioned how the municipality would monitor participation rates and whether the council would be able to review the program if demand exceeded expectations.

Administration responded that the first year would provide valuable baseline information and that council would retain the ability to review the program through future budget deliberations.

The policy takes effect immediately, with rebate applications and program details expected to be available through the M.D. of Bonnyville in the coming weeks.

For residents who rely on septic hauling services, the new program means a portion of the recent disposal fee increase will now be returned directly to taxpayers.