The Kin Race Track sani-dump site, which has been decommissioned as a new facility is expected to be open on Tronson Rd. in time for the May long weekend(Vernon Matters file photo)

By Liam Verster

$4 fee

Vernon’s sani-dump payment to remain on honour system

Jan 25, 2023 | 6:00 AM

The City of Vernon will continue to use an honour system for user payment at the new sani-dump operation on Tronson Rd.

Vernon council was presented with three payment methods to collect the $4 user fee at the regular meeting Monday, Jan. 23.

The first recommended remaining on an honour system; the second option was installing a magnetic locking cap controlled by a payment control box, and the third was to install a powered entrance gate with a payment kiosk system.

At the meeting, Councillor Brian Quiring suggested moving forward with the second option.

“For a couple of reasons, I am in the opinion that we should have a lock,” Quiring stated.

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“Number one: we’re getting a lot of push back from residents, and that will deter people that don’t want to pay so it will cut down on some of the traffic because it is free at another location in the community [Superstore]. [Number two:] the honour system doesn’t work for everything.”

Quiring added he tried to use the sani-dump this past summer but found the pay app wasn’t working, leading to even honest people not paying for the service.

“I see people taking real advantage of that whole setup there that we have, the temporary one, and I think you should have to pay. You should have to pay a little bit to use that service, and if you don’t want to, then you go to where it’s free and even where it’s free they say if you don’t fill in with fuel, then [you can’t use the facility].”

Sean Irwin, Vernon’s manager of utilities, noted the lock system is in use in other jurisdictions, but can sometimes be compromised by people propping them open for others to use without paying.

“If it was a monitored site I think [the lock system ] would be more effective, but that would mean increased staff time as well,” Irwin said.

Councillor Teresa Durning voiced opposition to Quiring’s point, saying she did not want to see the city spend money staffing the sani-dump.

Councillor Kari Gares also disagreed with Quiring, saying the sani-dump’s revenue from 2022 was just $4,000, and installing a magnetic locking cap could cost an estimated $15,000. She also suggested the move could result in people who do pay already choosing not to and instead go where they can clear the tanks for free.

However, Gares did note that people should be paying to use the service and a solution should be found to ensure the payments are made, though she was opposed to spending too much taxpayer money for a system that may not yield positive results.

Councillor Akbal Mund noted they could hire temporary staff members, such as students, for peak hours and days over the summer to ensure the fees are collected, a point to which Mayor Victor Cumming was in support of, though James Rice, director of operational services, said those positions would be required to pay overtime because of long weekend shifts.

The motion to go with option two and install a magnetic cap lock system was voted on, and defeated with Quiring being the sole vote in support.

Mund then put forward a motion to go with option one and maintain the honour system with the addition of having administration investigate adding staff to the sani-dump where appropriate.

That vote passed with Quiring being the sole vote in opposition.

Speaking with Vernon Matters following the meeting, Cumming said he wants people to follow the honour system and pay the fee.

“If you’re going to use the service, throw $4 towards it,” Cumming commented.

“Quite a few people are doing that to date and quite a few are choosing not to, and I’m just encouraging people to respect the honour system.”

He added the other proposed options all require significant investments for what should be a service.

“So if you’re going to use the service, leave a couple of toonies behind.”

The new sani-dump site at 6401 Tronson Rd. is expected to open in time for the May long weekend.