West Fargo leaders table decision after tussling over garbage rates, 'follow truck' removal - INFORUM

West Fargo leaders table decision after tussling over garbage rates, 'follow truck' removal - InForum | Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo news, weather and sports

West Fargo leaders table decision after tussling over garbage rates, 'follow truck' removal

City staff suggested that West Fargo continue to pick up additional garbage and bulky items, but instead of doing so with a follow truck, residents would have to use a scheduling system.

WEST FARGO — After city leaders seemed split on how to move forward, the West Fargo City Commission decided to table a decision on whether to alter the city's garbage rates and the use of the "follow truck" after residents voiced concerns about a five-year rate increase and having to schedule larger pickups.

West Fargo currently offers a garbage "follow truck" that essentially follows regular garbage trucks on daily routes to pick up additional larger items that are placed beside residents' garbage bins. After city consultants returned a survey of city garbage and recycling services, consultants recommended the city consider cutting the service or changing it to be more cost efficient.

Public Works Director Matt Andvik and staff suggested that the city continue to pick up additional garbage and bulky items, but instead of doing so with a follow truck, residents would have to use a scheduling system that would be completed online or by phone. There would be 40 to 50 collections per day.

For residents who often have more garbage set outside the regular 64-gallon bins, a new 96-gallon bin would be made available. Andvik said the majority of residents who answered a public survey conducted last month said they only put out a few additional bags each week that are picked up by the follow truck.

Andvik also recommended that the city charge those with the 64-gallon bin $21 per month in 2024, up from $17.50 per month in 2023. The city would then charge $23.73 in 2025, $26.34 in 2026, $28.45 in 2027 and $29.87 in 2028. For a 96-gallon bin, it would cost $23 in 2024 and rise each year, ending at $31.87 by 2028.

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At the West Fargo City Commission meeting Monday, Dec. 18, Commissioner Roben Anderson said the percentage increase for multi-family units is less than that for single-family homes, which seems unfair.

He said he did not support the city raising increases while increasing barriers to accessing services.

"I feel that we're putting a barrier with some of the services we are going to be providing residents by asking them to schedule pickups, charge potentially for pickups on the boulevard and with that reduction in service, we're also increasing our rates and that is not something I am comfortable with," Anderson said.

Commissioner Mandy George, whose portfolio includes public works, said the department now has software that can create a special "follow-truck" route for properties that continually have additional pickup needs. She said a second truck would not have to move throughout the city, which would save costs and the city could add $1 increases to all rates to cover the modified additional route.

Commissioner Brad Olson said the additional charge would equal all residents subsidizing bulky-item pickup.

Resident Christopher Mace, who spoke at the Monday meeting, recalled the changes to garbage pickup in a previous city where he lived, which mirrored the proposed changes but resulted in a failed recycling program and poor garbage collection. He urged the commission to reconsider creating a scheduling system for bulky pickup.

Steve Marquart, a frequent voice at government meetings, also requested that the city not change its policy and reconsider the rate increases, which he said ultimately looks to increase by 87% in the next five years.

"It is outrageous," Marquart said.

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David Withee, another resident voice, suggested the city reduce water rates to the amount that it plans to increase sanitation rates.

George said she was more supportive of the lowest increase possible for residents, but that something must be done to combat the rising costs of providing the services.

"We had professionals working on these numbers, it's not something we just made up," George said.

Mayor Bernie Dardis suggested the city do a one-year rate increase but keep the five-year plan as a benchmark for future rates. He also suggested staff get a better "handle" on the multi-family properties and single-family properties.

"I'm not prepared to vote for it in the full context of the five years," Dardis said.

Commissioner Mark Simmons said he felt there were too many questions remaining around the rate increases and that the questions over rates should be addressed separately from the bulky item pickup, or follow-truck issues.

He moved to table the issue,which was seconded by Anderson but George objected, saying the commissioners should try to find a solution now.

"My thought is we should sit here all night until we get this done," George said. "I don't see the point in tabling it."

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Tabling the issue passed on a 3-2 vote. Dardis, Anderson and Simmons voted to table to issue. George and Olson voted against it.

The commission will meet again Jan. 8.

Andvik said rate hikes are needed to keep up with the increasing cost of providing garbage services. He said equipment costs are increasing and the third-party recycling contract has increased 3% each year for the past five years. West Fargo last raised sanitation rates in 2019, when it cost the city $43 per ton to dispose of solid waste at the Fargo Landfill. It now costs $51 per ton.

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