Draft Law on Communal Cleanliness Adopted, Waste Collection Fee Calculation Method to Change

(Patria) - The Sarajevo Canton Assembly has adopted the Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on Communal Cleanliness, which introduces significant changes to the waste collection fee calculation system with the aim of establishing a fairer and more transparent model.

The proposed amendments clarify the payers of communal services, as well as the method of calculating the fee. The previous calculation model was based on the square footage of the premises, while the new solution envisages calculation based on the number of household members for individuals, and based on the type of activity for business entities. Also, these amendments to the law introduce the payment of a flat fee for unused properties.

The Canton Government will, by regulation, prescribe the method of determining and calculating fees for individuals and legal entities, including criteria for differentiated prices based on the predominant registered activity of service users, the amount and methodology of calculating flat fees for waste collection, removal, and disposal services, elements covered by the fee, including the costs of waste collection, removal, and disposal, the procedure for verifying and updating user data, and the method and procedure for proving the permanent non-use of a property.

The goal of the proposed amendments is to establish a more precise and fairer calculation system, reduce the possibility of manipulation, and ensure more stable financing for communal companies engaged in waste collection and removal.

At the same time, the proposed solutions represent a step towards aligning the communal services system with practices applied in European Union and regional countries.

The Draft Law has been sent for further procedure, including a public debate that will last for 15 days, during which all interested parties will have the opportunity to provide their proposals and suggestions in order to achieve the best possible legal solution.