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Council approves $1.30 monthly increase to city trash and recycling fees to cover contract hike
Summary
Mendon City Council approved a $1.30 monthly increase to residential utility bills — $1.00 for garbage and $0.30 for recycling — after Waste Management raised its contract rates. Council said the five‑year contract includes opportunities to re‑bid after the term.
The Mendon City Council approved a $1.30 monthly increase to city utility bills to cover higher solid‑waste contractor fees.
The increase breaks down to $1.00 per month for garbage and $0.30 per month for recycling. Staff said Waste Management notified the consortium late in the prior year that operating fees rose in October; Mendon and other consortium members must pass those increases to customers under the service agreement.
Why it matters: Mendon participates in a Cache Waste Consortium that negotiated a multi‑jurisdiction contract with Waste Management. Council members noted that workforce and fuel costs have affected service performance in recent months but said existing contractual terms require passing increases through to customers. The mayor said the contract is for five years and the consortium can re‑bid after that term.
Council discussion and vote: After a public hearing with no speakers, the council voted to implement the $1.30 monthly increase. Staff said reserves can cover the shortfall for the months between the October rate change and the new billing; no immediate budget transfers were required.
Ending: The city will update utility billing to reflect the new amounts and monitor service performance; staff suggested a future public hearing may be required if Waste Management proposes further increases.
