City Cuts Trash Rates as Landfill Cost Drops

A reduction in trash rates, the result of a decrease in county landfill fees, was unanimously approved by the City Council this week.

Residential customers with 35-gallon trash barrels will see a 40-cent reduction in their monthly bills, while those with 67-gallon containers will save 77 cents per month.

Businesses and apartment complexes that have larger bins picked up weekly will see a drop of $6.82 per month. Commercial customers with pickup service six times a week will pay $40.92 less.

The reductions were made possible when the county last month reversed an earlier price hike by lowering its landfill fees from $35 to $27 per ton. The higher costs had prompted several customers to use landfills outside the county.

The county fee increase last year prompted city hauler Solag Disposal Inc. to ask for a rate hike, which was granted by the council.

With landfill costs now going down, City Manager Tim Casey said, the waste firm was cooperative in agreeing to pass along the savings to residents and businesses.

The new rates will take effect on April 1.