City of Eagle Pass approves Increase of Commercial Trash Collection and Tire Delivery Fees

By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015

The Eagle Pass City Council approved an alteration to an ordinance amending Section 14-10 (A–G) AND (5) (A–B), Chapter 14 (MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE) of the code of ordinances of the City of Eagle Pass, Texas, to increase the trash collection fees to commercial properties and tire delivery fees at their regular meeting held on Tuesday, October 6, 2015.

Eagle Pass Mayor Pro-Tem Rudy Villalpando opened up agenda item No.8 calling for the changes of rates and fees for commercial trash collection and tire delivery.

Interim City Manager Hector Chavez explained to City Council the reasoning behind the commercial trash collection and tire delivery rate increase proposal. Chavez stated that the increase is being sought due to the increased costs of equipment, container needs and the replacement of those items in the near future.

“We’re going to have to replace those things and we need to start saving some of that money,” said Chavez.

“We’re also proposing a change on the tire fee from $1.50 to $4.00. Basically, we’re doing this because we want to make it even (same) with the county landfill,” said Chavez.

“It is necessary that we adjust these fees just so that we can pay for the services and to also discourage the use from other cities. We also want to add that we will only accept tires from the city residents. We don’t want to accept from other cities. It’s just not worth it. It cost too much and it’s just too many tires,” said Chavez.

Chavez noted the City of Eagle Pass is being inundated with tires from all over, including the county and other counties as well.

Chavez advised City Council that the City’s process on handling used tires is cost ineffective, leading to the proposed rate increase being sought from City Council through the amendment of the existing ordinance.

“”Hopefully by charging as much as the county landfill, they will use the county landfill since they’re coming from Carrizo, Crystal they can get to the landfill before they get to us,” said Chavez. Other cities such as Carrizo Springs and Crystal City have been bringing their tires to the City of Eagle Pass for disposal.

Chavez stated that this move would have adverse consequences such as an increase in scrap tire littering but that it would still be more economical for the City to pick up these tires and dispose of them than having to subsidize the funding from only charging $1.50 and being flooded with other cities and counties used tires.

City Council unanimously approved the amendment to the Ordinance increasing the tire delivery fees and the commercial trash collection fees after the Ordinance is approved after the third reading.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu was absent at the October 6, 2015 meeting.

Chavez also advised City Council on the need to approve an amendment to the Ordinance increasing the commercial trash collection fees. “Section 14-10, Chapter 14 Municipal Solid Waste, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Eagle Pass regulates the schedule of rates/fees for commercial properties, and it has not been modified in three years and there is a need to modify in order to be competitive with surrounding South Texas areas, said Chavez.

The new proposed commercial trash collection fees requested include: Schedule of Rates/Fees 2. Rates for Commercial Properties, except multifamily properties, of city and county residents shall be as follows: A. Automated Collection (waste wheelers 96 gallon) $28.00 per month, plus tax (for county residents outside city limits) $30.50 per month, plus tax City Extra Pick Ups, $15.00 per pick up, plus tax County Extra Pick Ups, $25.00 per pick up, plus tax B. 3 cubic yard Containers $70.00 per month, plus tax City Extra Pick Ups $25.00 per pick up, plus tax (for county residents outside city limits)$85.00 per month, plus tax County Extra pick ups $35.00 per pick up, plus tax C. 20 Cubic Yard Roll-Off Container $510.00 per pick up, plus tax 20 Cubic Yard Roll-Off Container $75.00 plus tax (one-time delivery charge). These charges are for both city and county residents.

D.30 Cubic Yard Roll-Off Container$600.00 per pick up, plus tax; 30 Cubic Yard Roll-Off Container $75.00 plus tax (one-time delivery charge). These charges are for both city and county residents. E. 40 Cubic Yard Roll-Off Container $710.00 per pick up, plus tax 40 Cubic Yard Roll-Off Container $75.00 plus tax (one-time delivery charge). These charges are for both city and county residents. F. Compactors (inside city limits) $165.00 per pick up, plus tax, plus tonnage ($48.00 per ton), and fuel surcharge based on State rate. G. Compactors (outside city limits) $185.00 per pick up, plus tax, plus tonnage ($48.00 per ton), and fuel surcharge based on State rate 5. Tires delivered to the Eagle Pass Recycling Center from City Residents only. A. Passenger tires (up to nineteen-and-one-half-inch rim diameter)$4.00/tire B. Truck tires (nineteen-and-six-tenths to twenty-four-and-one-half-inch rim diameter)$12.00/tire.

Agenda item No.8 will be presented another two times before City Council before it’s fully approved and implemented.   The public is invited to attend the next City Council meeting to express their opinion regarding the increased commercial trash collection fees and tire delivery fees.