Bristol Tennessee Garbage Rates Go Up $1

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Beginning July 1, most households signed up with the city for solid waste collection will see at least an extra $1 on their bills.

The City Council voted unanimously last week to raise the monthly fee from $10 to $11 to pay for the increasing operating costs. The cost for each additional 90-gallon container also increased from $5 to $5.50 per month.

Expenditures have outpaced revenues derived directly from refuse collection during each of the past four fiscal years, and the coming 2008-2009 fiscal year is no different.

The city’s solid waste fund includes residential and commercial collections, and does not include landfill operations.

The fund is expected to bring in about $1.4 million in revenue but expenses are estimated at about $1.6 million, a net loss of more than $197,000.

Losses of nearly $497,000 are expected for the current fiscal year.

“As you might expect, fuel costs are a big reason for the rise in expenses,“ said Bill Sorah, deputy city manager/public works. “But the costs will vary from year to year, depending on capital expenditures. For example, a new auto-loader that picks up containers at homes can cost $100,000.“

In the past, expenses have been offset by transferring money from the city’s general fund and other financing sources such as incremental rate hikes that began in the early 1990s.

The scenario will not change when the new fiscal year begins on July 1.

“The increase is expected to generate about $120,000 next year, but operations continue to be supported by transfers from the general fund,“ said City Manager Jeff Broughton. “Cities pay for waste collection in different ways, but the long-term goal of the city is to make it [residential collection operations] self supporting.“

Council members met twice early in the year for refresher courses on the status of the city’s residential collection situation. Broughton dubbed the presentations “Solid Waste 101.“

“We plan to talk again next Tuesday at our work session, and we’ll be looking at possible policy changes that could save the city money,“ he said.

One change being considered is the reduction or elimination of the amount of building materials picked up at curbside.

The city also picks up “white goods” (washers, dryers and refrigerators) and certain yard wastes on regularly scheduled pick-up days.

Most council members favor charging residential customers for any waste picked up that is not inside containers.

City Council’s vote also amended an ordinance that reduces the amount people participating in either the Tennessee or Bristol Tax Relief programs will pay. Their rate will decrease from $10 to $8 per month.

Qualifying participants in the program include elderly and/or low-income homeowners and disabled veterans. People in the program still must pay the extra 50 cents for each additional container.

Meanwhile, Bristol Virginia charges residential customers $10 per month for a 95-gallon container. There is no charge for an additional container.

| (276) 645-2512