Garbage rates going up in Pasco starting Jan. 1

Pasco residents will see their garbage bill go up a few dollars each month starting Jan. 1.

The rate increase was approved earlier this month by the Pasco City Council.

Councilman Tom Larsen had the lone dissenting vote, saying the new contract with the rate increase concerns him.

The city has had a comprehensive solid waste collection agreement with Basin Disposal Inc. of Pasco for more than 50 years.

The last agreement was adopted in 1993. There have been several amendments to the contract since then, including a fuel surcharge added in 2008, but the underlying cost to collect trash and dispose of it had not changed for 10 years, according to city staff.

Basin Disposal requested an overall rate increase of 15.5 percent because of changes in collection costs during the past decade.

Councilman Bob Hoffmann noted that the city negotiated with Basin Disposal representatives and its president, Darrick Dietrich, for months, and that both sides made some adjustments in the process.

Hoffman called it a good proposal, and said it is clear Dietrich knows what he is doing with the business.

“The bottom line is we’re getting a service for a fair price,” Hoffmann said. “I think that BDI impressed me as a well-operated organization, efficient, well-managed and a great service to Pasco.”

A resident with a 96-gallon trash can pays $15 a month with tax. That will go up 23 percent to $18.45. The cost for an additional 96-gallon can will drop 2 cents to $1.90.

Residents who qualify for senior and low-income discounts will pay $9.22 for a 64-gallon can, up 47 percent from $6.25.

Customers still won’t incur an extra charge for additional garbage as long as it is properly bagged, boxed or bundled, and is under the size and weight limits, according to the report prepared by city staff.

The report also says that commercial customers will see an overall rate increase of 19.8 percent, while the industrial impact will be a decrease of 1.6 percent.

Rick Terway, Pasco’s administrative and community services director, said Basin Disposal will provide a quarterly report of the amount of waste that has been hauled from the city so staff can keep track of it.

Councilman Al Yenney said he wants residents to know there will be an enhancement to the drop-off recycle locations, “which hopefully will make it easier for people if they want to do that.”

The city contract does not include curbside recycling or a green waste program. If city council members want to consider adding those services for its residents, Basin Disposal must prepare a proposal within three months of a request.

“Keep providing that service level that you are,” Mayor Matt Watkins said to Dietrich after the council vote on the agreement. “We appreciate your service and level of involvement in the community.”

This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 7:14 PM with the headline "Garbage rates going up in Pasco starting Jan. 1."