Trash is placed on the sidewalk a day before garbage pick up on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 near Flint's college cultural neighborhood. (Sarahbeth Maney | MLive.com)Sarahbeth Maney | MLive.com

FLINT, MI -- Taking out the garbage would cost about $35 more annually in the fiscal year that starts July 1 if a proposed special assessment increase is approved by the City Council.

Chief Financial Officer Robert Widigan told the council of the planned increase -- to $202.56 -- in a special meeting earlier this week, and said a special assessment for street lights is proposed to drop by nearly $29, partly offsetting the waste collection hike.

Council has yet to take up the proposed assessments but could discuss them during a special meeting at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 3, or on Monday, June 6, when the city’s general fund budget is scheduled to be adopted.

Last year, a proposal to double the current waste collection assessment was voted down by the council, and 1st Ward Councilman Eric Mays said he will attempt to lower or eliminate this year’s proposed increase as well.

Mays said Thursday, June 2, that the higher assessments can be traced to the city’s decision to award a three-year, $19.7-million waste collection contract to Clinton Township-based Priority Waste rather than Green For Life, which officials have said was the lowest bidder on the job.

The contract has been the subject of an active council investigation.

“I think I might have to amend it on the floor,” Mays said of the waste assessment. “I think we could have done better” with the contract.

6th Ward Councilwoman Tonya Burns, who chairs the council’s Finance Committee, said she also has questions about the higher garbage fee being passed on to residents.

Burns said she’s heard concerns about Priority Waste’s service since it began picking up garbage and curbside recycling late last year.

“In the 6th Ward, they aren’t interested in increases in anything unless it’s for public safety,” Burns said. “For me, I have to listen to what the residents want.”

A city spokeswoman said the street lighting assessment is proposed to decrease from $101 annually to $72.18 in the coming fiscal year while the waste fee is proposed to rise from $167.47 to $202.56 annually.

The city declined to comment on the reasons for the increase or reduction of the rates.

Flint’s street light assessment was first adopted as a part of former emergency manager Michael Brown’s 2013 budget for the city. The assessment amount is re-evaluated each year, but was originally projected to be less than $100 per parcel, according to Flint Journal files.

Read more at The Flint Journal:

Garbage investigation has cost Flint taxpayers $25K so far and next steps unclear

Flint plans to use $8.1M in ARPA funds to cut into $14M deficit

Five things we’ve learned so far from Flint kids’ water crisis trial

Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 5/1/2021).

© 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.

Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.