Claremont : Trash Fees to Increase

The City Council on Monday voted unanimously to raise trash collection fees beginning Oct. 1. Citing escalating landfill fees, a successful resident recycling program and use of temporary trash bin rentals through private operators, the city’s sanitation enterprise faces a $367,000 operating deficit without the rate change, said John Stark, city financial services director.

The new residential fees will be increased by $1.45 for a total charge of $11.23 a month. Commercial rates will go up between $14.34 to $37.43 monthly, costing businesses $65.57 for one pickup a week to $257.61 for six.

Council members praised the city’s recycling efforts but lamented the loss of revenue. Recycling has decreased the number of trash containers needed by residents, resulting in a loss of $100,000 in revenues from charges for the city-issued bins. Moreover, a market glut in residential recyclable waste currently costs the sanitation enterprise $10,000 per month in the resale of recycled refuse.

A final vote will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.