New trash collection rates take effect here

New trash and recycling collection rates are now in effect for San Marcos, increasing residential rates by 63-cents (3.8 percent) and multi-family recycling rates by 20-cents a month to fund monthly brush drop-off service as well as expanded education and clean-up services. 
The rate increase also reflects an annual contract adjustment with Texas Disposal Systems. The city council approved the rate increase in January.
The city contracts with TDS for residential garbage collection and single-stream recycling services. The contract is adjusted every February to reflect the annual percent change in the Producer Price Index for fuel and solid waste collection.
This year, the TDS contract will be increased by 26-cents per month for single family residential customers who receive both trash and recycling services and seven cents per month for multi-family customers for single stream recycling.
A 24-cent increase for residential customers will fund the monthly brushy drop-off, available on the second Saturday of every month from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 750 River Rd. 
A 13-cent increase per month for residential and multi-family customers will fund expanded education efforts and clean-up services to address illegal dumping in neighborhoods.
“These expanded services represent steps in implementing City Council priorities and recommendations in the Solid Waste Master plan,” Laurie Moyer, managing director of Community Services, said. 
The cost of extra garbage containers will increase from $5.25 to $5.70 per month and extra recycling containers will now be $5.33 per month. 
For more information about the rates or expanded services, contact the Solid Waste Division at 393-8420 or Utility Billing at 393-8383.