STANTON

Council members this week unanimously approved a 1.4% rate hike for solid waste collection services. Rates for residential customers will increase from $13.19 to $13.37 a month, beginning in July. City Manager Terry Matz said the rate hike was prompted by a request from the city’s franchised waste hauler, CR & R Inc., to offset increased costs of operation. But he added that the rates are still highly competitive, pointing out that in 1996, residents paid $15.55 for monthly solid waste collection.