Oxford aldermen raise solid waste fees, citing equipment costs
OXFORD - The Oxford Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Aug. 18 to raise fees for residential and commercial solid waste service.
At the meeting, city staff told the board that the price of a garbage truck has risen from $200,000 in 2018 to $280,000 today, and that residential rates were last increased by $1 in 2022. A speaker identified in meeting records as Mayor Robyn Tannehill told the board, "we hate raising rates ever on anything," but said the increase was "necessary for us to be able to keep the equipment that we need to offer two day a week trash service and rubbish pickup and recycling." The board approved the ordinance amendment on a voice vote after a public hearing that drew no public comments.
The increase is a direct addition to residents' and businesses' trash bills, tied by staff to rising equipment costs, including the jump in garbage truck prices. The board's discussion did not address, according to available meeting material, whether operating efficiency was examined as an alternative to raising rates before the vote was taken.