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City Council okays 22 percent fee hike for garbage service
By Times Staff Writer
Published September 16, 2005
ST. PETERSBURG - Starting Oct. 1, city residents will begin paying 22 percent more per month for garbage collection.
The City Council approved the hike Thursday by a 6-0 vote. Council members Earnest Williams and Rene Flowers were not present.
The monthly fee will now increase from $16.35 per month to $19.95, which means residents will pay about $43 more per year for twice-a-week collection.
This is the first fee increase since 1988. Administration officials put off raising it for years because they didn't want to burden residents when there were also double-digit increases in water rates, said sanitation director Chuck Schauer. Meanwhile, the department was forced to dip into its cash reserves to pay for maintenance and equipment.
Mayor Rick Baker noted St. Petersburg will still charge less per month than Tampa or Clearwater.
Schauer told council members if they did not approve the increase, the department would be forced to cut services, including graffiti removal and litter pickup.
Another, smaller fee increase is expected next year.
[Last modified September 16, 2005, 01:35:22]
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