City approves 6.25 percent increase for garbage collection fees
by Laura Haley
Contributing Writer
Sep 12, 2013 | 1510 views | 0 0 comments | 44 44 recommendations | email to a friend | print


The Moab City Council this week approved a 6.25 percent increase in fees charged for solid waste collection by Bob’s Sanitation. The new rates will go into effect Oct. 1.

During a recent public hearing, Robert Hawks, president of Bob’s Sanitation, told the council that his costs have increased significantly over the last few years.

“Inflation has hit pretty hard,” Hawks said. He said the prices of fuel and tires have gone up, and while the landfill fees haven’t gone up, the amount that he’s taking to the landfill has increased.

“It’s just almost impossible to make a living,” he said.

To receive the rate adjustment, Hawks was required to submit financial information to the council proving the necessity for the increase. “This financial information indicates the contractor’s costs have increased by at least six percent since the last rate increase,” a memo prepared by Moab city staff said.

In a letter to the council, Hawks said this increase was the first one his company has requested in seven years. It amounts to an extra $12 per year on residential services. Rates will increase by the same percentage on commercial services as well, Hawks said.

“It’s a small increase,” city council member Gregg Stucki said during the Tuesday, Sept. 10 meeting. “We’re always concerned when things are increasing, but having seen some of the costs that Bob’s Sanitation is dealing with – healthcare, tires, other things have increased very dramatically. I think this is very reasonable.”

Hawks said he is grateful to the council, as well as all the people who have supported Bob’s Sanitation throughout the years.

“It’s going to hurt some people, but hopefully everything will work out,” he said.

Hawks said customers in the county will see a similar increase.

“[The rates will change] everywhere I serve,” he said. “I treat the county the same as I treat the city.”
Share This Article |

Copyright 2013 The Times-Independent. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

report abuse...

Express yourself:

We're glad to give readers a forum to express their points of view on issues important to this community. That forum is the “Letters to the Editor.” Letters to the editor may be submitted directly to The Times-Independent through this link and will be published in the print edition of the newspaper. All letters must be the original work of the letter writer – form letters will not be accepted. All letters must include the actual first and last name of the letter writer, the writer’s address, city and state and telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.

Letters may not exceed 400 words in length, must be regarding issues of general interest to the community, and may not include personal attacks, offensive language, ethnic or racial slurs, or attacks on personal or religious beliefs. Letters should focus on a single issue. Letters that proselytize or focus on theological debates will not be published. During political campaigns, The Times-Independent will not publish letters supporting or opposing any local candidate. Thank you letters are generally not accepted for publication unless the letter has a public purpose. Thank you letters dealing with private matters that compliment or complain about a business or individual will not be published. Nor will letters listing the names of individuals and/or businesses that supported a cause or event. Thank you letters about good Samaritan acts will be considered at the discretion of the newspaper.