Blaine garbage rates could jump up to 20 percent

ZOE FRALEY - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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BLAINE - Starting Aug. 1, garbage collection fees in the Blaine area could increase anywhere from 5 to 20 percent, according to a letter from Sanitary Service Company.

The Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission still has to approve the increase and will discuss it at a meeting July 30 in Olympia. Customers can send comments to the UTC before the hearing.

Last August, SSC bought the area's garbage service, Blaine Bay Refuse, which serves about 3,200 residences and businesses in Blaine, Semiahmoo and parts of Birch Bay. It would be the first general rate increase for the area in more than three years, according to the letter.

"Since 2006, costs for employee hourly wage, health, welfare and pensions have increased substantially and made it necessary for us to request this rate adjustment," SSC President Paul Razore wrote in the letter. "We apologize for the magnitude of this rate adjustment and do not anticipate a rate increase of this size again."

The increase would bring the area's rates in line with what SSC charges its other Whatcom County customers, said company chief financial officer Ed Nikula. The previous owners of Blaine Bay Refuse were getting ready to increase rates when SSC bought the company, he said.

The increase would affect all customers and vary depending on the service used. The most common service for residential customers - weekly pickup with a 60-gallon container - would increase to $16.71 per month from the area's two previous rates of $14.66 or $15.92. That increase, however, would be offset for many customers by a decrease in recycling rates, Nikula said.

Commercial and multifamily customers would see larger increases for larger containers, with 20-yard Dumpster service increasing from $96.90 to $156.90 per month.

Customers with FoodPlus! recycling also would see a slight increase in their rates.

Nikula said SSC has gotten a few calls from customers, and one had sent their comments along to the UTC.

"You never know. The commission can approve it, they can modify it and they can reject it," said UTC spokeswoman Marilyn Meehan. "They've done all of those before."

MORE INFORMATION

Anyone with questions about the rate increase can contact SSC at 734-3490 or ssc@ssc-inc.com. People who would like to send their comments to the Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission can call toll free at 888-333-9882 or email comments@utc.wa.gov.