Residents of Indian River County may soon pay a little more for monthly trash collection next year.
Commissioners are working to choose one of four options for garbage and waste collection once the county’s contract with Waste Management ends in October 2025.
The problem is that all the options are much more expensive.
Currently, residents are charged about $33 every three months for trash collection, which works out to roughly $11 per month.
The cheapest of the four options would cost users $22.46 per month, doubling trash rates. The most expensive would increase rates by 282%, raising the monthly cost to $53.81.
“It’s too much,” said resident Robert Friedman. “I wouldn’t feel good about that.”
“All the prices are really in line with what we’re seeing in the region,” said Commission Chair Susan Adams. “Our current rates are over 10 years old.”
Nationwide, trash rates are rising. A Reuters article showed that consumers paid, on average, 6.9% more during 2023 for trash collection as the cost of waste services increases.
“What we’re seeing is that inflation, the cost of equipment, and the cost of employment have gone up,” Adams said. “We’re a little handcuffed on that.”
However, at the Indian River County Salvation Army, Captain Kelvin García said people are already struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.
“It’s been critical at this point,” García said. “If you go to our hallway, you’ll see how many people are already filling out assistance applications, and many of them are doing it for the first time.”
García said he used to help an average of 15 families each month pay rent and utilities. In May, that number jumped to 40 families per month. Now, the nonprofit averages over 50 people, and the organization’s budget to help those in need was cut by $200,000 this year.
“It makes a big difference,” García said. “Last year and this year have been very difficult years for families.”
Adams said commissioners will consider cost when choosing each option and compare the price with the services offered. She also said it’s expected that commissioners may be able to negotiate the price down once they select a provider.
“Once we decide which option we want, we’ll pick the top two proposals with that option and go back and renegotiate, essentially pitting those two against each other to try to lower that price and get the best deal for residents,” Adams said. “At the end of the day, customer service is important, but price is important.”
Friedman agreed and said one man’s trash shouldn’t cost him his treasures.
“Now that I’m retired, it’s definitely something to keep in mind because while I was working to make a living, things are very, very expensive now,” Friedman said.
The four options include:
- A “status quo” option, which is a subscription service no different from what customers already receive.
- A universal service in which all unincorporated IRC residents can opt into services.
- A subscription service with automated and cart trash bins.
- A universal service with cart and automated trash bins.
Commissioners will hold the next meeting to discuss this on April 24 at 4 p.m.
Residents are encouraged to attend and share their opinions, which will be considered before commissioners choose a service option that evening.
Image: Wflx
