Trash rate increase approved, in effect

City utility customers can expect to see an increase in their water, sewer and garbage bills after the Newcastle City Council approved the garbage rate increases on third reading at the board’s Nov. 6 meeting.

According to the ordinance, the 95-gallon containers used for residents will increase to $20.10 a month for one collection per week per can. Previous rates were $16.75 a month, picked up one time a week. 

For 300-gallon cans, there is a service schedule depending on the number of cans and the number of pickups needed per week. Prices range from $71.42 for one can with one pickup a week to $1,520 for eight cans at five pickups per week. 

Previous rates were $59.52 a month, picked up one time a week. 

“For each additional three-hundred-gallon-capacity can in excess of the eight three-hundred-gallon-capacity cans the monthly collection charges shall be as follows: fifty-two dollars and ninety-one cents for one collection per week, one hundred five dollars and eighty-two cents for two collections per week; one hundred fifty-eight dollars and seventy-three cents for three collections per week; two hundred eleven dollars and sixty-four cents for four collections per week; and two hundred sixty-four dollars and fifty-five cents for five collections per week,” the ordinance states. 

For residents outside of city limits, 95-gallon containers will cost $30.14 for one collection per week per can. For the 300-gallon cans, rates begin at $111 for one can at one pickup per week to $2,671 for eight cans with five pickups per week. 

“For each additional three-hundred-gallon-capacity can in excess of eight three-hundred-gallon-capacity cans the monthly collection charges shall be as follows: sixty-six dollars and twelve cents for one collection per week; one-hundred thirty-two dollars and twenty-five cents for two collections per week; one hundred ninety-eight dollars and thirty-seven cents for three collections per week; two-hundred sixty-four dollars and fifty cents for four collections per week; and three hundred thirty dollars and sixty-two cents for five collections per week,” the ordinance says of non-resident rates. 

Other additional fees outlined in the ordinance include $40 per can for each additional collection of 96-gallon containers and $125 per can for additional pickups on 300-gallon cans for inside city limits. Outside of city limits those rates are $60 per container and $160 per can, respectively. 

Rate reaction

This rate increase comes after the city has faced backlash for increases to water and sewer rates that varied depending on customer usage. Customers have attended council meetings to express frustration with the increases, with some stating that their bill increased as much as 200%. 

As previously reported in the July 26 story “Council approves increases,” sewer rates for customers residing within city limits will be $21.53 per month for the first 2,000 gallons or less upon adoption of the rate increase. 

Anything over 2,000 gallons will be prorated on the amount furnished at $9 per 1,000 gallons. 

Rates for users outside of city limits were not included in the updated ordinance, despite being included in previous ordinances. An amendment to the ordinance, added on Aug. 14 on second reading, increased rates for customers outside of city limits to $27.50 for the first 2,000 gallons and $11 per 1,000 gallons after the initial 2,000 gallons. 

Sewer charges are based on the amount of water furnished by the city per month to each service outlet, according to the ordinance. 

New rates for water are $19.50 per month for the first 2,000 gallons of water used for users inside city limits. Anyone using over 2,000 gallons a month will pay $7 per 1,000 gallons per month, prorated by use. 

For users outside of city limits, new rates will be a flat-rate charge of $11 per 1,000 gallons. 

The council approved both ordinances on third reading during its Aug. 21 meeting, and legal notices announcing the changes were published in the newspaper and online. 

Under the previous pay system, residents paid a base rate for minimum usage (2,000 gallons) and were then assessed under a couple of different rates for usage that exceeds the minimum.

Garbage rates have now been increased as well after the council directed County Attorney Dublin Hughes to draft this ordinance amending garbage rates in June, and approving it on readings held on (Oct. 2), (Oct. 16) and (Nov. 6). 

In addition to drawing criticism from residents, the rate increases have also elicited a response from other public entities. In recent weeks, Weston County School District No. 1 has acknowledged that their lawyer is looking at the district’s contract with the city, citing steep increases, and the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp has requested sewer averaging to decrease sewer costs.