The city’s $69-million operating budget was heralded as a “really positive step forward” by Coun. Kirk Cameron on Monday evening before council voted unanimously to go ahead with the spending plan.

This year’s budget includes a 1.7 per cent increase to property taxes along with a 6.3 per cent hike to water and sewer bills, among other fees.

There will be no boost to garbage/compost collection fees, though the city is planning to implement a curbside recycling collection program.

Fees and details for that program have yet to be determined, though an initial study in 2014 anticipated an approximate $15 per month charge.

Before voting to go ahead with the budget, Cameron and other members of council voiced their support for the document.

They noted the challenge in keeping the tax increase as low as possible while also delivering the services residents need and want.

Coun. John Streicker acknowledged the concerns brought forward during a recent public hearing from delegates who called for snow clearing of the entire Millennium Trail as well as a long-term solution to deal with recycling in the territory.

Streicker then pointed out the budget includes funds this year to clear the downtown portion of the Millennium Trail as a trial.

That will help the city glean a better sense of the cost and winter use before determining how to proceed with it next year.

On the issue of recycling, Streicker said there are “important discussions” underway, but officials need to see where those discussions go first.

Earlier in the meeting, Mayor Dan Curtis said city officials have already met with new Community Services Minister Currie Dixon. He succeeded Brad Cathers in the cabinet shuffle announced Jan. 16.

While there were a number of issues discussed, Curtis noted recycling was the major focus.

Dixon assured the city the territory is also working to come up with ways to deal with it, the mayor said.

Curtis – who in late 2014 called for Cathers’ removal from Community Services – added he’s optimistic about the “new leadership” in the key portfolio.

Coun. Betty Irwin said she’s hopeful there will be some sort of short-term solution to recycling in the next few months.

“We know how important this issue is,” she said.

Recycling came to the forefront last October when the Raven Recycling Society closed its Industrial Road depot for non-refundables. It argued diversion credits – provided by the city and territory to recyclers for keeping waste out of the landfill – do not cover the high costs of shipping the materials Outside.

Residents can still take their non-refundables to P&M Recycling’s depot downtown, to the recycling depot at the city’s landfill or sign up for curbside collection at a cost of $20 per month through the Yukon Blue Bin Society.

While the city continues to focus on recycling, Cameron pointed out last night there are a “litany of interests” which come forward to the city at budget time.

Over the last couple of years, he noted, the city has found a way to “bring in the budget” while also working to deal with the many interests which have emerged.

Curtis agreed, commenting that a lot of work goes into the budget. Over the years, he noted, council has managed to make significant changes in its operations, such as the addition of evening bus service.

He also pointed out this will be the final budget for the current council, with municipal elections scheduled for Oct. 19 throughout the territory.

Who knows, Curtis asked. Perhaps the next council will move to expand services, such as having the buses running on Sundays.

The mayor praised the work of council and administration – thanking each – in coming up with a budget that delivers services while keeping the tax increase as low as possible.

As Coun. Jocelyn Curteanu pointed out, the 1.7 per cent tax hike is the lowest it’s been in more than a decade. She also added she’s pleased with what the city will accomplish with it.

The city’s $30-million 2015 capital budget was adopted in December.

Coun. Dave Stockdale was absent from last night’s meeting.