Beverly Hills : Trash Disposal Fees Increase

The City Council has approved a nearly 50% increase in residential refuse fees. Commercial rates were raised 70% in a vote Tuesday.

The rates will increase from $8.95 to $13.35 every two months for each unit in a multifamily dwelling; from $17.89 to $26.71 for single-family homes on lots under 10,000 square feet; from $35.78 to $53.42 for homes on lots of 10,000 to 20,000 square feet, and from $59.64 to $89.03 for homes on lots larger than 20,000 square feet.

The increase was approved over the grumbling of some residents who said the purpose of a city is to provide such basic services as police and fire protection and trash pickup services.

The city had provided refuse service to residents at no charge until last year, but dwindling landfill space, higher hauling costs and legislative mandates have resulted in soaring costs to cities for removing and disposing of refuse, City Manager Mark Scott said in a report to the council.

The city will continue subsidizing residential refuse service with $2.2 million in tax revenues from the city’s general fund, Scott said.

The decision by the council follows on the heels of an increase in water rates July 1 that raised rates for some households 20% to 44% to pay for maintaining the city’s water lines and pump stations and also pay for a 10% increase by the city’s water supplier, the Metropolitan Water District.