Yakima City Garbage Rates Proposed To Increase In 2016

The Yakima City Council will hold a study session at City Hall today (July 28) to talk about raising garbage rates in 2016.

City Manager Tony O'Rourke says the city hasn't increased rates in eight years: "The rates are the source of revenue and utility taxes on those rates. Given eight years, not many businesses could survive if they didn't have any rate increases in eight years."
O'Rourke says if you have a 96-gallon container there's a proposed $1 increase and if you have a 32-gallon container the city is proposing to increase rates by $5 per month.

The city is expected to vote on the rates during budget talks later this year.