The ordinance extending the trash fee would keep the amount at $75, but would establish a new discount rate of $50, rather than current discount rate of $56.25. The discounted rate is offered to qualified seniors, veterans and indigent homeowners.
SPRINGFIELD – The City Council Monday will consider extending the annual $75 trash fee for homeowners, which was scheduled to expire June 30.
City Councilor Michael A. Fenton, chairman of the Finance Committee, said he will bring the matter out of committee, sponsored by himself and five other councilors.
“It’s a decision we have to make because of a $46 million budget gap we are looking at,” Fenton said. “Also, it’s the most feasible of all the proposals heard so far. The reason for that is timing and money.”
The meeting is at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
The ordinance extending the trash fee would keep the amount at $75, but would establish a new discount rate of $50, rather than current discount rate of $56.25. The discounted rate is offered to qualified seniors, veterans and indigent homeowners.
Some city councilors and homeowners have objected to the proposed fee extension, saying it is an unfair burden. Trash fee opponents have said they already pay property taxes for city services, and that city officials should cut down on spending and make government more efficient.
The city’s Finance Department said the city could face a $46 million budget gap next fiscal year, which begins July 1, if it were to do nothing to increase revenues and reduce expenses.
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has proposed a graduated bin system, in which homeowners would pay a trash fee based on the size of their trash bin. He proposed three sizes be offered, with homeowners facing a lower charge for the smaller two sizes.
Fenton said that option and others can be explored further. However, he said he is not in favor of spending $2.5 million for new bins, as proposed.
In addition, there would not be adequate time to set up the new system before the current fee expires, he said.
Other city councilors who are sponsoring the ordinance to extend the trash fee are Kateri B. Walsh, Timothy C. Allen, Clodovaldo Concepcion, Amaad I. Rivera, and E. Henry Twiggs, Fenton said.
During a recent meeting of the Finance Committee and Maintenance and Development Committee, there was a tie vote, 2-2, on the proposed extension of the trash fee.
Councilors Timothy J. Rooke and John A. Lysak were opposed.
Rooke has voiced support for a proposed new pay-as-you-throw system in which residents would buy city-issued bags for trash, which would be placed weekly inside the existing trash bins.
Fenton said a key change in the trash fee program will be a provision to charge interest on delinquent trash fees and create the ability the attach liens, rather than the current policy of eventually canceling the person’s trash collection.