The days of cheap garbage collection are over for about 1,200 residents of areas recently annexed into the city.
A decision made by Davis County Commissioners last month means homeowners who were paying $4.33 a month to have their garbage hauled away will now pay $12.93 a month (see accompanying box).The annexations have created a $130,000 property-tax deficit in county coffers, which forced commissioners to stop payment of tipping fees this month at the burn plant for the area's garbage.
About 40 residents attended a public hearing in December to oppose the decision, but the commissioners held firm. The county passed the fees on to a private garbage hauler that serves the newly annexed areas, who in turn handed increased costs to residents.
Compared to those in surrounding communities, residents in the affected areas have been getting a bargain. North Salt Lake City residents pay about $9 a month, Centerville residents pay $8.60, and Woods Cross residents about $11. All of those cities haul garbage to the burn plant.
Still, residents in the newly annexed areas feel they've been snubbed.
Besides the 300 percent increase, state law prevents them from taking their garbage to the nearby Bountiful Landfill. Homeowners are all but forced to pay the higher fees.
"I either have to pay the private hauler or pay the burn plant, because the landfill won't take garbage," said resident Ray Connors.
Tom Hardy, Bountiful City manager, said the city would like to help but can't.
"When we annexed those areas, we knew and told the citizens that their garbage would have to go to the burn plant," he said.
Commissioners made the now-annexed areas part of the burn-plant district in 1984, which by law means any garbage coming from those areas must go to the burn plant, he said.
Connors says he may look into the possibility of filing a class-action lawsuit to get access to the landfill.
"I've heard the landfill has already hired someone to check drivers' licenses and they'll turn you away if your address is wrong," he said. "I think we'll form a committee and do whatever we can to get access."
Most Bountiful residents have their garbage hauled to the landfill for $5 a month.
Hardy plans to discuss hauling alternatives for the affected residents with the City Council at its next meeting Jan. 15.
(Additional information)
Areas affected
Residents in these areas have had their garbage collection fees tripled:
- Between 3400 South and 3800 South from 550 West to 375 West
- Between 2600 South and 3100 South from Orchard Drive to 625 West
- About 100 homes in the Val Verda area near Boulton Elementastrip
- Other areas annexed into the city after 1984*
* If you haven't received a fee-increase notice from your garbage hauler, your area likely has not been affected. For information, call the Davis County Commission, 451-3200.
~