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Garbage Pickup Fees May Be Increased

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 3, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - The city council is considering an increase in residential and commercial sanitation fees in an effort to bring its charges more in line with its costs.

The council on Aug. 26 unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that would increase the monthly cost of residential garbage pickup from $20.64 to $23.29. (The rate for seniors who qualify for the additional $25,000 property tax exemption would remain at $14.84.)

The new rate would be closer to the $24.69 figure that city finance director Diane Reichard said is the city's average cost to pick up, separate and transport each household's trash to area collection and recycling facilities.

Commercial rates are based on the size of the Dumpster and the number of weekly pickups, each of which also costs customers a $5 service fee. Council voted to increase monthly pickup fees from compactor containers from $136 to $165, open 20-yard containers from $140 to $168 and 30-yard containers from $280 to $300.

"In comparing the city of Temple Terrace to Tampa and Plant City, the city's rates are the lowest among the three municipalities," Reichard said.

The council also is contemplating the elimination of the city's annual spring cleanup, a one-day event that Reichard said costs the sanitation department $64,600. Instead, it may institute once-a-year-only pickup service of large trash items for residents who call in advance to make arrangements. The latter policy, she said, would result in a $37,200 yearly savings to the city.

The base cost of other special trash pickups will remain at $64 for yard waste and $70 for other discarded materials.

If approved at the council's meeting today, the rate increases will be in place by Oct. 1, when the 2008-09 budget goes into effect.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Temple Terrace budget hearings
WHEN: 6 p.m. today and Sept. 16

WHERE: Council chambers at Temple Terrace City Hall

INFORMATION: Call Michael Dunn at (813) 989-7197 or e-mail mdunn@ templeterrace.com.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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