Pocatello garbage rates lower than many neighboring cities

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Story Published: Nov 18, 2009 at 6:11 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 18, 2009 at 6:49 PM MST

By Wes Horrocks

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POCATELLO - The cost of picking up garbage increased slightly this year, and at least one homeowner believes the city rates are double what they should be.

But Pocatello is actually about average compared to other cities in Southeastern Idaho.

And when it comes to raising fees the Sanitation Department has actually taken fewer increases than originally planned.

It costs 17,600 Pocatello homeowners $13.82 a month to have a 96 gallon garbage container emptied every week.

If they want to use the curbside recycling that goes up an additional $5. Randy Allen, Pocatello City Sanitation Superintendent said, "Our goal is always to charge exactly what it costs to provide the service; no more, no less."

The rate comes from a 2006 study by a consulting firm that calculated the cost of the service, and suggested an annual 4% increase.

But because the cost of oil and steel has gone down compared to last year, this years increase is only 1%. Allen said, "We're not in it to make money, we're in it to provide a service."

A viewer tells us he believes the city could use a private company to haul garbage for only $7 a month.

But in Bannock County, where garbage collection is contracted out, residents pay $14.81.

And when Pocatello used a private company 30 years ago they experienced problems. "It may be cheaper up front, but the city found out back in 1979 that overall service suffers, and eventually the contractor left the city high and dry," said Allen.

When rates do change they go into effect with the fiscal year.

That means if the fee does increase in the future you won't see any difference until November.

Idaho Falls is the nearest city that pays less for garbage than Pocatello, at $9 a month.

The superintendent credits the low cost to the use of recycling bins placed around the city, and the lack of automated trucks.

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