City garbage rates rising next month
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Not really having a choice in the matter, El Campo City Council approved a 10 percent garbage rate hike Tuesday.

The 5-2 vote with Mayor Pro Tem Kyle Smith and Councilman Robert Boone against will raise the residential garbage rate from $16.15 per month to $17.61.

"We have to accept this don't we?" Mayor Phillip Spenrath asked.

The current five-year contract with Allied Waste/BFIallows for rate modifications based on the Consumer Price Index as well as gasoline and disposal costs.

Part of the blame for the rate hike actually rests with the weather.

"Based on costs associated with an unprecedented amount of rainfall during early and mid 2007, Allied was forced to increase disposal fees by 4 percent at all of our Houston area land- fills," Trevor Royal, BFI/AW manager of business development municipal services said in an Oct. 24 letter to the city.

The rate hike actually became effective on Oct. 1 - before City Council had a chance to approve it.

"We will not be retroing it," City Finance Director Courtney Sladek said. "It will be in the next set of bills."

Municipal homeowners and businesses should be getting those notices in the mail Dec. 3.

Hand pick up for small commercial businesses will rise from $20.11 to $21.97 per month while the rate for large commercial will go from $27.26 to $27.52.

Rates will also rise on containerized service, "roll off" containers and non-residential use at the landfill.

A full listing of rates will soon be available on the city's Web site: www.ci.el-campo. tx.us, Sladek said.

The current garbage contract expires Oct. 1, 2008.

BFIhas provided the city with service for 15 years since the municipality opted to contract out the service.

Although Council opted to approve the rate hike, it was a "reluctant" yes vote, Councilman Ed Erwin said.

Councilwoman Gloria Harris agreed.

"We don't have a choice," she said.

Last year the rate rose 5.8 percent.