Works committee approves higher fee for extra garbage and recycling carts

The Works Committee voted to raise the fee charged for additional garbage and recycling carts, citing a sharp rise in unit costs since the city’s last fee schedule was set in 2019.

Paul, speaking for street operations, told the committee that the city’s original purchase of carts dates to 2019 and that only about 20 of those original carts remain. “The initial cost was $45 a cart,” Paul said. “The cost has now gone up, with the order that we have in place to $82 and some change.”

Committee member Penscovers moved to increase the charge for additional carts from $55 to $95; a colleague seconded and the motion passed with the ayes prevailing (recorded as 3-0). After the vote, the chair announced, “Ayes have it.”

Before the motion, Ryan asked whether the proposed fee would apply to damage caused by collection service; Paul said it would not. “Anytime there’s any damage to the cart from the garbage truck itself, that is covered by a warranty,” Paul said, adding that crews can fix wheels and lids under warranty but that extreme cold can still break cart components.

The committee’s action covers only additional/replacement carts and does not change any warranty protections Paul described. The increase is intended to reflect current procurement costs; the committee did not adopt an alternative of supplementing the cost from city funds at this meeting.

Next steps: the fee change will be processed through the city’s administrative procedures so it can be reflected in the billing and public information materials.