Fairfield council considers increases to trash, recycling fees

FAIRFIELD — Fairfield residents could see their solid waste and recycling charges increase this fall, if a set of ordinances is approved by the Fairfield City Council.

During its meeting Aug. 8, the council passed the first reading of a set of ordinances that would raise the base rate that residents pay for trash and recycling. The charge for trash would increase 22 cents per month to $8.78, and the recycling charge would increase 22 cents as well, to $4.78.

This represents a 3.5 percent increase for both accounts. The ordinances also call for further 3.5 percent increases in 2023 and 2024.

In addition to those regular fixed increases, Waste Management is implementing an inflation surcharge of $1.55 per account, so a resident’s total bill will increase $1.99 if the ordinances are approved. Fairfield City Administrator Aaron Kooiker said that, assuming the ordinances are approved after three readings, residents will see the increase on their October bill.

The language in the ordinance pertaining to the inflation surcharge reads:

“Inflation surcharge is deemed temporary and based on existing inflation increases and fuel rate increases; Ordinance intent is the surcharge shall sunset. Council shall review surcharge in May 2023.”

Kooiker said the city wanted the inflation surcharge to be a separate line item on residents’ bills to make it clear that it was a temporary increase and one the city can eliminate.

“Hopefully, things will settle down next year and we can ask to remove that,” Kooiker said.

The council will hear the second reading of the ordinances for solid waste, recycling and the inflation surcharge at its next meeting on Monday, Aug. 22.

Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com