Trash Bill on the Rise, City to Raise Rates

February 07

22:24 2023

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By Amy Bearden/Mineral Wells Area News

***The cost of doing business is on the rise and Frontier Waste will soon increase trash fees it charges the City***

The Mineral Wells City Council heard from Finance Director Jason Breisch at their regular February 7 meeting regarding a contract adjustment between Frontier Waste and the City.

Breisch explained to Council that Frontier’s five year solid-waste contract, which the City entered into March of 2022, has an option to adjust their contracted rates each year based on the (CPI) Consumer Price Index.

Breisch said the CPI rates were up over 7 percent from last year and the City could either absorb the almost $78,000 annual contract increase or pass the fees on to residents.

Trash customers currently pay $20 a month for service, but the new rate would increase to $21.53 each month. Residents would still receive twice a week service, as well as weekly bulk and brush service.

You can watch MWAN’s You Tube recap of the trash fee discussion between Council and City staff

Breisch reminded Council that the trash contract with Frontier Waste pays a percentage in fees back to the City to help raise capital for new roads and is part of the 5-year plan to improve streets in the community.

Many of the Council voiced concerns about the rate hike, but in the end, all agreed passing the cost to customers is the only decision that makes sense if the City wants to stick to their long term road improvement plan.

Council unanimously voted to approve the new amendments to the Frontier Waste trash contract which take effect March 1 and customers will likely see an increase on their bill in April.