City Council approves 1.96% garbage rate increase

Corning residents and businesses that use Corning Disposal Services will see their rates go up starting April 1 — no fooling.

Following a public hearing on the rate increase on Tuesday, the City Council voted unanimously to implement the increase of 1.96 percent for garbage collection services.

No one from the audience spoke up in opposition to the rate increase, but the city did receive two written letters from residents protesting the proposal.

City Manager John Brewer said he received correspondence from Waste Management, which has a franchise agreement with Corning and Corning Disposal, requesting the increase due to the Consumer Price Index rate adjustment of 1.47 percent and fuel costs adjustment of 0.49 percent.

"We really don't have any choice but to approve the increase," Councilwoman Darlene Dickison said.

Mayor Gary Strack said the requested increase fits with the contract with Waste Management.

"Our total garbage rates are comparable to entities close to Corning, but they don't receive the sweeping and white goods pickup that we receive," Strack said.

Corning's garbage collection services includes the pickup of bulk items referred to as "white goods" one Friday a month, said Matt Fryer, district manager of Waste Management.

The rate increase of 1.96 percent will raise regular residential rates from $20.76 to $21.17 per month, a 41 cent increase. The senior citizen rate for the smaller 32 gallon roller cart will rise from $10.38 to $10.59 monthly.

Commercial rates vary by service need and will also increase by the same 1.96 percent, Brewer said.

Fryer said he understands it is difficult to pass service costs onto customers.

"We are struggling just like everyone else. We have not been able to give our employees a salary increase in the pass 18 months. All of our requested rate increases are all going to keep services functioning," he said.

"We are doing our part to keep costs down."