From the Kokomo Tribune:
The Peru Common Council Monday considered an ordinance to impose a trash pickup fee on city residents and businesses to make up for projected budget shortfalls next year.
The ordinance would establish a monthly $12 fee that officials say would offset a nearly $800,000 loss from property tax caps. Peru Mayor Jim Walker said that’s almost the entire budget of the street department, which currently picks up trash for free.
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Walker contended, however, that the trash fee wasn’t a tax increase, since many residents will pay much less in property taxes due to the 1 percent cap set by the state on residential properties.
“This is simply to replace lost revenue,” he said. “It’s not an additional fee or more tax dollars. We’re losing some property taxes, and we’re looking to recover it from this trash fee.”
Walker said the $12 fee rate was calculated by dividing the amount of the projected budget shortfall by the number of residents and businesses eligible for trash pickup.
“It’s everybody paying their fair share,” he said.
If approved, the fee would appear on utility bills and be subject to late fines if not paid.
The ordinance will be up for further discussion at next month’s council meeting before a vote is taken.
http://kokomotribune.com/local/x44831215/Trash-pickup-fee-on-the-table
