The City’s solid waste and recycling ordinance has been amended after the Keller City Council approved the second reading of the changes on Tuesday, May 19. The amendments allow residents who had previously used trash containers larger than 33 gallons to continue to use them. It also provides a rate adjustment to cover additional routes, added equipment on Allied’s trucks and higher operating costs.
Even with the rate adjustments, the services provided and cost of curbside garbage and recycling pickup remains extremely competitive in Keller when compared to surrounding cities. The changes, effective June 1, include a rate increase of will be 81 cents per month for most residential customers, with slightly lower rates for seniors. Commercial rates, which vary by service, would also increase 9.12 percent. Effective January 1, 2010, Allied Waste may exercise its ability to implement an additional increase not to exceed 50 cents per month. Residential customers will pay no more than $10.22 per month plus tax for solid waste and recycling services through the end of the contract term while maintaining the ability to use the containers of their choice.
Per the franchise agreement with the City, rate adjustments are not arbitrary, but based on Consumer Price Index increases in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Rising fuel costs from 2006 through 2008 have substantially increased Allied’s cost of doing business, as have the addition of routes to serve a growing population, increased disposal fees, and additional equipment on some trucks necessary for servicing a variety of containers. Under the previous ordinance, residential trash containers could not exceed 33 gallons in size and 50 pounds in weight. In January, Allied placed red tags on containers that violated the size restrictions. The larger containers are not designed for pickup by workers, which presented safety concerns. To accommodate the larger containers, trucks on some routes in the City will be equipped with “tippers,” which assist workers in emptying them.
Allied Waste has served Keller for 19 years. The current contract was approved in 2005, and this is the first rate increase the company would be granted under that contract. The current contract with Allied Waste expires on August 31, 2010. As a result, City officials anticipate seeking proposals from Allied Waste and other solid waste vendors next year to ensure residents receive the best service for the best price. As a part of this process City officials will seek public input on the type of services residents would like prior to entering into a new agreement.