PORT ANGELES — Getting rid of your garbage will cost more next year.
The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday for a 0.56 percent increase for residential collections and a 10.5 percent increase for use of the city’s transfer station.
Residents with weekly pickup will see their rates change from $26.80 to $27.20.
Rates for residents with every other week pickup will change from $19.45 to $19.75.
Residential yard waste and commercial pickup will not change.
The new fees will begin Jan. 1.
The city will review the solid waste fees again next year.
The City Council also approved a 25 percent increase for electrical work permit fees for next year, but electric rates will not be changed.
Other rate increases include:
• Municipal solid waste from $104.30 to $114.90 per ton.
• Asbestos disposal from $253.40 to $329.15 per ton.
• Contaminated soils disposal from $104.30 to $172.95 per ton.
• Metals and white goods recycling from $51.25 to $57.45 per ton.
• Tires from $104.30 to $114.90 per ton.
In a memo to the City Council, Public Works Director Glenn Cutler said the solid waste fee increases are needed to maintain financial reserves.
He cited higher costs of providing the services, a reduction in the amount of solid waste being disposed of, and inflation as factors.
The rates were proposed by the FCS Group, which was contracted by the city to conduct a rate study.
FCS representative Angie Sanchez said at an Oct. 7 public hearing that the city will spend about $1 million in reserves for the next three years to make up for the losses.
About 65 percent of the solid waste disposal costs come from the city’s 20-year contract with Waste Connections, she said.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
