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Council advances refuse-collection rate ordinance to second reading; questions remain on cleanup costs
Summary
On first reading the council advanced Ordinance 4-25 to amend refuse collection rates, including a proposed monthly increase from $11.20 to $11.50 for residential service. Council asked staff to verify whether the change covers spring and fall cleanup costs before the second reading.
The Cascade City Council on Oct. 27 held the first reading of Ordinance 4-25, which would amend refuse collection rates under the city code. The ordinance discussion focused on whether the proposed increase would cover seasonal spring and fall cleanup expenses and on clarifying rules for commercial customers seeking a second tote.
Sammy, a city staff member, explained current billing: residential service is $11.20 per month and the proposed change would raise the rate to $11.50 per month. Councilmembers asked whether that 30-cent monthly increase per household would be sufficient to cover the city’s costs for spring and fall cleanup events, noting the aggregate effect across roughly 1,100–1,200 households.
"It's $11.20 for residential, and they're upping it to $11.25. So she's proposing it going to $11.50," a councilmember summarized. Sammy said she would review invoices and provide the council with exact cleanup costs and how they are currently billed.
Councilmembers discussed commercial second-tote policy and confirmed that commercial customers currently may have a second tote but pay a higher commercial rate; staff said the extra tote fee is $10 per month. The council voted to approve the ordinance on first reading and directed staff to research whether seasonal cleanup costs are included in the base rate or charged separately so the council can consider an amendment at the second reading.
