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Staff report, City Desk in The Paper. — Just days after the City Council stripped similar fee hikes from the citywide budget, one city councilor is proposing a targeted $12 trash surcharge for nonresidents aimed at funding taxpayer-funded convenience centers while keeping local disposal costs at $5.
Sponsored by Klarissa J. Peña by request, O-26-35 would raise convenience center fees only for residents and businesses outside Albuquerque city limits. The proposal aims to better match disposal fees with operating costs while keeping rates frozen for city taxpayers.
Under the proposal, Albuquerque residents would continue paying $5 plus tax per vehicle load at convenience centers and an additional $5.54 for uncovered or unsecured loads. Nonresidents would pay $12 plus tax per load and another $12 for uncovered or unsecured loads. According to the ordinance, the higher nonresident fees would generate about $1.1 million for the Refuse Disposal Operating Fund, where the money would remain in reserve until the city decides how to spend it.
The proposal is scheduled for the June 1 City Council meeting. If approved, the new rates would take effect five days after the ordinance is officially published.