Mon, Sep 18th, 2023 - 11:01pm
January 22, 2024 - 10:53pm | By Chris Larson
(West Fargo, ND) — Sanitation rates are increasing in West Fargo.
After a 4-1 vote Monday night at the West Fargo City Commission meeting, residents will see a 17 percent increase on their sanitation bills, beginning on March 1.
A standard 64-gallon garbage bin cost residents $17.50 per month in 2023. After the Commission’s approval on Monday night, the rate will increase to more than $20. Subsequent years would also see an increase of 15 percent in 2025, 12 percent in 2026, five percent in 2027 and three percent in 2028.
Commercial rates will increase as well — by 3.5 percent in 2024, three percent in 2025 and 2026, 3.5 percent in 2027 and three percent in 2028.
“These increases are subject to final approval through the annual budgeting process,” West Fargo Public Works Director Matt Andvik said in his letter to commissioners. The city says the rate option will “allow the Sanitation Department to be ‘self-funding’ by the year 2026.”
Citizens spoke out against raising the rates.
One said the increased rate is higher than the cost-of-living rate that Social Security recipients received in 2024.
Bulky items will now need to be scheduled through the city for pick up — either online or by phone. Additionally, the schedule will move from five days per week to four days per week for residential pick up.
