For Residents, Price of Trash Has Just Gone Up

The city will begin to charge residents for the amount of trash they throw away and is raising collection rates by up to 13% for single-family homes.

The new rate structure takes effect April 1. Single families will be allotted one 95-gallon can full of non-recyclable trash per week at a bimonthly cost of $37.02. If a second 95-gallon can is needed weekly, the cost will double. For occasional extra trash, residents will be asked to buy city-issued plastic bags for $2.75 each.

Single-family residences pay $32.78 for bimonthly trash pickup, regardless of volume.

Multiunit dwellings of 10 units or fewer will also face a 13% rate hike to $131.27 every two months. The rate for larger multiunit dwellings will go up 6.7%. Commercial customers, who already pay a higher rate, are in for a 3.8% increase, but in some cases could cut their bill substantially by recycling.

General Services Director Stan Scholl said the city needs added revenue of $233,769 to offset increased landfill costs, payments for street sweeping, recycling and other expenses. Under state law, cities must recycle 25% of their trash by 1995 or face fines.

As part of the program, the city will begin collecting a new category of recyclables--mixed paper and plastic waste, to assist residents in cutting down on their trash.

The new rates passed the council on a 6-1 vote. Councilman Robert Holbrook dissented, saying the single-family rates were “out of whack.”