Polk County News
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 9, 2015 9A
Monmouth council OKs 8 percent garbage increase
Brandt’s Sanitary Service requests first rate adjustment since 2012 in both Monmouth and Independence
By Emily Mentzer
The Itemizer-Observer
MONMOUTH — Starting
Jan. 1, residents of Mon-
mouth will see an 8 percent
increase in garbage collec-
tion from Brandt’s Sanitary
Service.
T h e Mo n m o u t h C i t y
Council approved the in-
crease after much discus-
sion at its Dec. 1 meeting.
Before unanimously ap-
proving the rate adjustment,
councilors had questions
about recycling, costs and
how the 8 percent was deter-
mined.
Councilor Jesse Shafer
asked what Brandt’s was
doing to increase recycling
efforts.
“We’re selling the materi-
als that have been separat-
ed,” said Estle Harlan, solid
waste management consult-
ant for Brandt’s. “It only cov-
ers about 10 percent of the
cost of picking it up.”
She said when Oregon
adopted the Opportunity
Recycle Act in 1983, state of-
ficials knew it would cost a
premium to recycle.
“We know it will not cover
the costs,” Harlan said.
“Some jurisdictions are
looking to plug in a 30 per-
cent loss over last year on
material sales.”
Prices are going up at
every level of the garbage
collection business, except
for the price of fuel, Harlan
said.
Councilor Jon Carey
asked why, as people recycle
more, the tipping costs at
the landfill are so relevant.
“That would be true if
people were not now dis-
posing more,” Harlan said.
“We’re recycling more, but
we’re still disposing more, so
we don’t see the tons going
down on the solid waste side
dramatically. We’re a throw-
away society.”
The company is working
with a 0.03 percent operat-
ing margin, Harlan said, and
would like to be closer to 8
percent. Rates have not
been raised since 2012.
Carey said he would like
to do what was necessary
to keep Brandt’s in busi-
ness.
“I think it’s in our best in-
terest to keep Brandt’s viable
… to do everything we can
to assist the profitability and
viability of Brandt’s Sanitary
Service,” he said.
The increase will mean
$1.64 more per month for an
average residential cus-
tomer with a 35-gallon cart.
The Independence City
Council heard a request for
the same increase at its
Tuesday meeting, which was
after press time.
H e i s t h e R e a s o n
f o r t h e S e a s o n !
Join us for
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
at 6:00 P.M.
First Baptist Church of Independence
Sunday Services 11:00 A.M.
Ministries include: AWANA, Youth, Men, Women,
Small Groups and an active Senior’s Ministry
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
6:15 pm • December 24
Please note the time change is earlier than last year.
We are inviting James2 participants to join us .
A traditional service of carols, special music
and candle light for the whole family!
565 SE LaCreole Drive • 503-623-2481
dallasumc@questoffice.net • wwwumcdallas.com
1505 Monmouth St., Independence
503-838-1001
(Across from Central High School)
St.Thomas
Episcopal Church
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service 7:00 pm
Eucharist Celebration
1486 SW Levens, Dallas
503-623-8522 • www.stthomasdallas.org
Christmas Caroling, Soup & Party
on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4:00 pm.
Children’s Christmas Program
will be held Sunday, Dec. 20
during the 10:30 am service.
The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
will start at 7:00 pm
The New Year's Eve Party
will be at 7:00 pm.
Bring your favorite games and snacks.
Dallas First Christian Church
1079 SE Jefferson St., Dallas
503-623-2569
Evangelical Bible Church invites you
to Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas
Dec. 12th • 6:30 pm & Dec. 13th • 4:00 pm
Children’s Program: Christmas in Black & White
Dec. 19th • 6:00 pm & Dec. 20th • 4:00 pm
A Musical Christmas Program
1175 SE Howe St., Dallas • 503-623-2331