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Garbage fee could increase

City council will discuss options at todays meeting

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  • David Tewes •
  • Originally published July 29, 2008 at 12:04 a.m., updated July 29, 2008 at 12:04 a.m.

Garbage collection bills in Victoria could be going up anywhere from $2.38 to $4.61 a month.

That’s how much the city estimates it costs above the current monthly fee of $13.75 to remove large amounts of limbs, yard waste and such bulky items as refrigerators.

The city council will meet today to review options for trying to make up the difference.

Council Member Jim Wyatt said he’s leaning toward the smaller figure.

“I realize we’re in tight economic times,” he said. “If we get the price too high, people will dispose of these items in places where they ought not.”

Jerry James, the city’s director of Environmental Services, said one option he’s presenting to the council is to keep the current level of service for bulky items and brush.

That includes monthly collection and costs the city $4.61 month per customer above the current bill.

A second option is collecting brush four times a year and bulky items twice a year. That would increase a customer’s monthly bill about $2.38 a month.

There would be a $1-per-minute charge if the volume of the items is larger than six cubic yards. James said six cubic yards is more than what 80 percent of the customers ever use.

Wyatt said most customers will understand the need to charge for the service. “I think our citizens understand these items must be picked up in order to keep Victoria beautiful and presentable.”

James said people don’t have to use the city’s service to haul off the items. They can use private services or they can take such items as brush to the proper disposal sites.

But all customers will be charged the new fee if the council backs the idea, regardless of whether residents use the service.

David Tewes is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6515 or dtewes@vicad.com.

  • If You Go

    City council meeting

    5 p.m. today

    Council Chamber107 W. Juan Linn St.



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Comments

  • sthtxgrl sthtxgrl Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    so does that mean that if the amount goes up, is the city going to do their job? in my neighborhood, there is always brush sitting around. you see the truck go by, and every time, they leave it there. usually some nice person with a truck will pick it up and take it off. whats the point of paying extra when its not even being done now? not to mention, why should you pay it if you can haul it off on your own instead of waiting for the city to do their job? somethings got to give, either do your job or dont even think about charging extra. if they need money, take it from stupid people that are overpaid by the city already.

    July 29, 2008 at 1:08 a.m.