Increase in Trash Fees Is Unacceptable

Dear Editor,
    The proposed 40% increase in trash fees is unacceptable and should be immediately re-evaluated. There has been no public input behind this proposal. Given the current state of our local economy, now is not the time for such a large increase.
    Additionally, the proposed increase does nothing to address the underlying problem of the minimal gap between the three rates. Customers should be incentivized to recycle more and waste less by reducing the cost of the 30-gallon carts and increasing the cost of only the 60- and 90-gallon carts. In the future, annual rate increases should be tied to inflation and related cost drivers. A one-time 40% increase is beyond the pale.
    Single-stream recycling begins later this year and will dramatically alter customer demand for different cart sizes. It is irrational to change the fee structure now, before single-stream recycling has been introduced and before its effects are known. This proposed increase puts the cart before the horse.
    The current proposal ignores the reality of customers' pocketbooks and should be rejected.