JAMESTOWN – Customers with the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities will see an increase in their garbage bill starting in January.
On Monday the BPU voted for a 5 percent rate increase for solid waste customers. Under the 2015 budget, BPU Solid Waste customers who recycle will pay $10.50 a billing cycle while those who do not recycle will pay $21 per billing cycle. That means recyclers will pay 50 cents more per billing cycle. Residents who do not recycle will pay an additional $1 per billing cycle.
Officials say an increase in operating expenses was the reason for the rate increase. Expenses in the solid waste division are expected to increase by $76,000. Major increases are to health insurance, depreciation, workers compensation and landfill tipping fees. Recycling software is a new cost for 2015.
The BPU also approved the 2015 budget for the sewer division and the district heating division with neither seeing an increase for customers. The board discussed the 2015 electric budget and water division, with a slight increase discussed for water customers. However, no action was taken on either budget.
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