Trash Collection Fee Increases in Irmo

The trash collection fee in Irmo will increase by $40 next year and that increase will help to offset a budget shortfall of a little more than $76,000. 

Members of the Irmo Town Council discussed the increase during a budget workshop Tuesday night. 

The town is raising its current fee of $140 per year to $180 per year, officials said. 

That increase will give the town about $80,000 more to work with, town administrator Bob Brown said. 

The fee increase, which doesn't impact businesses, is the first trash collection fee raise in 10 years. 

The town’s collection fee with the increase will still be cheaper than those in surrounding areas, Brown said. 

Residents also will have 65-gallon containers instead of two smaller recycling bins to hold items such as paper or plastic. 

"We wanted to be more aggressive in our recycling pursuit here in Irmo," Brown said. "The best way to do it is give them a bigger container."

Officials say the larger recycling containers would help cut down the amount of trash in the containers households already use. 

A budget for next year has not been approved. Revenue and expense figures are still being determined.

After the budget workshop, council held a public hearing for residents to voice their opinion about the town annexing nine properties at the Kennerly Crossing Shopping Center on Broad River Road. 

Having had no one to sign up to speak, council moved on to the regular meeting. 

The following is a summary of actions taken during the regular meeting: 

• Council approved the third and final reading of ordinance 12-04 to annex nine properties at the Kennerly Crossing Shopping Center. The center is anchored by Publix. 
• Third and final reading of ordinance 12-05 to amend the town's code on smoking in public places and place of employment was approved. 
• Council approved second reading of ordinance 12-06 to amend the town code, Chapter 2 Section 2-64 to add the amendments to the agenda and executive session items back on council's agenda.
• The second reading of ordinance 12-08 to amend the town code, Chapter 2 Division 3 and Division 4 concerning the municipal clerk and town attorney. Council approved changing the language to replace "inauguration meeting" with "general election." 
• Council approved amending the town code, Chapter 2 Section 2-35 concerning the mayor pro tem to add language concerning the ability to sign resolutions, execute deeds, proclamations, etc. in the absence of the mayor or if the mayor refuses to do it. 
• Council members also approved awarding the Veteran's Park sidewalk contract to Bullock Construction for $14,300.
• Sen. Ronnie Cromer presented council with a resolution acknowledging the town's efforts for beautification.
• Rev. Mike Seabrook of Macedonia Baptist Church asked for the the town's assistant in organizing an event for troops returning home from Iraq. 

What do you think about the increase? Tell us in the comment section.