Turlock garbage rates could rise

The first garbage rate increase since 2003 could happen by midsummer for the city’s residents and businesses.

The City Council voted 5-0 on Tuesday night to launch the process. A typical home’s bill would rise from $25.10 a month now to $25.47, followed by annual increases that bring it to $28.21 in 2019.

Under state law, the proposal would not go through if a majority of affected property owners file protests before or at a July 28 public hearing.

The council also voted 5-0 to resume sending trash to the Stanislaus County landfill and waste-to-electricity plant near Crows Landing. Turlock had switched in 2013 to a Merced County dump with lower rates.

City officials said the new Stanislaus contract still will cost more per ton of trash than Merced, but it has advantages that make it worthwhile. They include recycling programs and household hazardous waste collection. And by using the energy plant, Turlock gets a credit toward a state mandate to keep at least 50 percent of trash out of landfills.

The customer rate increases were requested by Turlock Scavenger Co., which collects trash in the city.

The calculation for a typical home’s bill assumes a 32 gallon container for general trash, a 68 gallon container for recyclables and a 95 gallon container for yard waste that is composted. Rates also would rise for larger residential containers and for commercial service.

This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 12:12 PM with the headline "Turlock garbage rates could rise."