Fayetteville residents will soon see a 25% rate increase on their monthly sanitation collection bill. The Board of Mayor and Alderman (BOMA) unanimously approved the rate increase during the April 14 monthly meeting upon the recommendation of Public Works Director Jack Williams.

Rates are going from $19 to $23.75 per household with one cart. Each additional cart will be an additional $15. Commercial and industrial rates will also increase. For example, a business with one cart being picked up once a week will be $30 or $60 for twice a week pick up. A business with five carts, once-a-week pick up will be $125 or $250 for twice-a-week pick up.

Churches will be charged the commercial fees and apartment complexes with five or more apartments will be charged the commercial fees.

Williams said he will get with commercial customers “to provide the collections services they need per week at the rate listed in the ordinance.”

Mayor Donna Hartman said the hardship rate is $10. “No one is currently on that list,” she said. “That’s good. We feel our rates are very reasonable.”

She said a survey by staff was conducted comparing Fayetteville’s $19 rate with neighboring towns. Huntsville’s rate is $21.50; Dyersburg’s is $22; Winchester’s is at $24.28; McMinnville is at $24; Shelbyville’s is $25; and Richardson, which serves Lincoln County, charges $24.

“We are still under some of these cities,” said Mayor Hartman. She said money collected from sanitation rates go into the sanitation fund. “They can’t be comingled with other funds.”

Rate increases are required to be approved by ordinance.

Alderman Tonya Allen made the motion to approve Ordinance No. 2926-08 amending Fayetteville Municipal Code Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 17-105 entitled Collection Fees and Special Rules. Alderman Mike Keenan seconded the motion. Voting for the rate increase were Aldermen Allen, Keenan, Jeff Alderman, Jeff Bradford, Joseph Faulkner and Dorothy Small.

According to the ordinance, the sanitation fees must pay for all related expenses incurred with collection and disposing of refuse. The increase is “necessary to ensure the financial security of this Special Reserve Fund to provide for the future operations.”

Monthly fees for the collection, removal and disposal of refuse are based on the number of carts utilized at each residence or commercial establishment with a one cart minimum charge for each residence or commercial establishment with an active electric meter according to the records of Fayetteville Public Utilities

Williams brought the rate increase to the BOMA during the April 9 work session, saying it had been discussed during the committee meeting. Aldermen Alder and Keenan sits on the Public Works committee.

Alder said the committee discussed a 20% rate increase and a 25% increase. He said there is very little difference between the two rates (95 cents). Therefore the committee recommended presenting the 25% rate increase to the full board.