The Kokomo Common Council voted 7-1 to adopt Ordinance 72-08, imposing a monthly trash-collection fee charged through the city wastewater bill beginning Jan. 1, 2026, to cover the city’s cost of residential trash and recycling collection.

The ordinance imposes a $10-per-month fee per eligible residential dwelling unit beginning with wastewater bills issued in January 2026 and raises the fee to $15 per month beginning with wastewater bills issued in 2028. The fee covers city-provided trash and recycling collection and is intended to be charged on each eligible unit receiving city service.

Under the ordinance, certain owner-occupants who have filed and been granted property-tax deductions for age (65+), blindness or disability, or disabled-veteran status will be eligible for a discount after their claim appears on the Howard County auditor’s records. Low-income single-family households that demonstrate income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guideline may receive a $5-per-month discount; the Board of Public Works must grant waivers after reviewing a completed application and documentation. The city attorney provided example 150% thresholds during the meeting: $22,590 for a one-person household, $30,660 for two persons, $38,730 for three and $46,800 for four.

Each eligible unit will receive two 95-gallon canisters (one trash, one recycling) under the ordinance; any additional canister fees remain subject to later amendment. The ordinance specifies that unpaid fees are subject to the same delinquency fees, penalties and lien processes used for delinquent sewer bills and that proceeds will be deposited into a segregated trash-collection fund separate from wastewater utility revenues. The ordinance references and supplements existing city wastewater-rate ordinances (noted in the ordinance text as Ordinance 66-19 as amended by Ordinance 68-52 and Ordinance 70-55).

Council members spoke for and against the measure during the meeting. Councilman Mickley, who moved adoption, said the council had worked to manage city resources and that the fee “is what it’s gonna take to provide you all the services that you’ve come to expect.” Councilwoman Sambrell acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and expressed regret that the measure would not satisfy everyone: “I just wanna say that I just want everyone to know that we’ve all done our due diligence… I’m so sorry it’s not gonna go everybody’s way.” Councilman Stevenson asked for clarification of the 150% threshold; the city attorney read the specific dollar figures used for that standard.

The council voted by roll call. Capshaw, Stewart, Davis, Collins, Grieco, Sandburn and Mickley voted aye; Stevenson voted nay. The clerk announced the motion passed 7 to 1.

The ordinance takes effect Jan. 1, 2026, and remains in effect until amended or repealed by the council. The ordinance text says discounts for qualifying owner-occupants will apply beginning with the first billing cycle after the auditor’s records show the appropriate deduction. The Board of Public Works will review discount applications annually in December and the utility billing and lien office will forward documentation to the board for review.

No additional public comment on the ordinance was taken at this meeting; the council noted the item had received public comment at a prior meeting and that residents had sent emails and calls about the proposal.