Portland city council approves garbage, sewer rate hikes - KPTV - FOX 12
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Get ready to pay more for your sewer and garbage and recycling service if you live in the Portland area.
The city council voted to increase the rate for garbage pick-up and sewer service.
It was going to vote on a water rate hike as well but that was postponed.
The city council approved the garbage and sewer rate hike that will likely go into effect sometime in July.
The city held off voting on the water rate hike, because it wants to discuss lowering that proposed rate.
During the city council meeting things got a little heated as one man voiced his concern because public testimony wasn't scheduled during the meeting.
Mayor Sam Adams did allow that man to stay and allowed public comment.
More than a dozen people, mostly concerned about the proposed water rate hike, shared their opinions with the city council.
Currently the city was schedule to vote on the rate hike set at 8.1 percent but during the meeting, the city council voted to hold off on the vote while it tried to lower that rate to 7.6 percent.
The final vote is expected to take place next week.
"I think it's an issue people should fight all the way and dragging and screaming because it means increase water rates and potential covered water systems which was proven not be healthier than an uncovered water system," said Dawn Smallman, a concerned water.
Your water bill could increase over the next five years under the proposed plan.
The city council says the money generated from the rate hike would go to fund reservoir and water treatment projects that the city would approve at a later time.
Garbage and recycling service for people on the east side of town will now pay about $1.20 more per month.
The costs will increase by about $1.30 for people on the west side because the city says the trucks burn more fuel while driving on the hills.
You sewer rates will increase about 5 percent.
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