Garbage trucks are lined up Thursday afternoon at Republic Services’ Albany yard.
A couple of members grumbled a little, but in the end the Albany City Council unanimously approved Republic Services’ price hike of 5.9 percent for trash collection and disposal in 2022.
In a previous story I was mistaken when I wrote that council approval of Republic’s rates is not required. Actually it is, and the council gave it Wednesday.
In 2011, the council and Republic agreed on a formula for determining annual rate adjustments. The formula is based mostly on the Consumer Price Index and also factors in the price of diesel fuel and the rates that Republic charges itself for disposing waste at the Coffin Butte Landfill.
The formula is set forth in a resolution the council passed on June 22, 2011. At the time, the council was told that either the city or the company could go outside the formula if they didn’t like it, but both have followed it since.
Councilwoman Bessie Johnson voted against that resolution 10 years ago because she didn’t like “automatic increases.” At Wednesday’s council meeting, she said it still looked like an automatic increase. But she voted for it with the majority.
Councilwoman Matilda Novak also voiced reservations, especially in light of various other increases people in Albany face. Most working people don’t get automatic boosts in their income, in her view, and she was hoping something could be done to make things less burdensome for people in town.
Republic’s municipal relations manager, Julie Jackson, if I heard her right, held out the prospect that her company would offer some kind of break to households with low income.
News of the coming rate increase caused some speculation on social media about others offering collection and disposal service. If anyone tried, that would violate the Albany solid waste franchise, which gives Republic the exclusive right — and obligation — to do this job. (hh)
My 3 cans will be out every week. Usually 2 will be empty. Screw you Republic. I’m still waiting for my bill adjustment for your missed pick up last month.
Do you know when they raised it last? Seems like it wasn’t very long ago.
A public franchise is a city granted MONOPOLY to operate a trash hauling business.
The city takes a cut (called a franchise fee) of the company’s revenue for the granting of this “privilege.”
The trash hauler, of course, passes along this “fee” to the paying customer in the rates charged.
You’d think city government would want to maximize “fee” collections by auctioning off multiple franchises to the highest “fee” collectors.
It’s called tax farming, or in this case “fee” farming. It’s low hanging fruit in my book.
When you grant a monopoly, this is what happens. Linn County and Albany residents always say they are for competition, but it seems to be just part of the Big Lie. Bring in another garbage collection operation and see how things change.
Republic rate changes for Albany starting Jan. 1 2018 bimonthly cycle (One 32 gal cart):
Jan 1 2018: $36.72 to $38.00
Starting May 1 2018 a $4.00 “Recycling Processing Surcharge” was tacked on to bring the bimonthly charge to $42.00.
Starting Jan 2019: $44.16
Starting Jan 2020: $45.12
Starting 9/1/2021 the food-in-the-yard bin tax is added on to make the total $51.02.
Republic does appear to have a 10% discount for seniors 65+ and disabled. I am copy/pasting what they want you to send them for proof of ID:
Proof of identification includes the following: driver’s license, identification card, birth certificate, Department of Motor Vehicle disabled parking permit.
Discount information is from their website.
I hope they have a discount for seniors.We all found out today we are getting a 14%increase in Medicare. That comes out to 22 dollars.we are not getting ahead we will be loosing alot of ground next year.Medicare rent raises electricity water sewer cable food. Its bad
Connie- Post the link, I can’t find any senior discount.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/g8cqnv0brfla2nd/Republic%20Services.jpg?dl=0
Well Ray, I called that number and they had NO CLUE what you were talking about.
MORE BS they are telling you that you believe without question. You are so desperate for a few pennies franchise fee you willingly stick your head in the sand.
I just want to know when they are going to pick up our yard debris every week? I thought we were already being charged to pick it up, every single week. I have not heard one soul around town say that they are picking it up every week, yet. For an old duffer like me, there is no joy in toting a full can back up to the house.
They’ve made the rounds every week. Chances are your bin was not out there yet when the yard debris truck came by early in the morning. (I speak from experience here.))