New East Dundee garbage fee could mean $180,000 to help budget
East Dundee will soon begin charging residents a monthly garbage collection fee - a move officials say will help fill a budget shortfall.
Residential units within the village will be required to pay $19.90 per month starting Sept. 1, trustees decided in a 4-2 vote Monday. The fee is expected to generate about $180,000 this fiscal year, which began May 1, Village Administrator Jennifer Johnsen said.
Trustees Jeff Lynam and Alan Hall voted against the measure, saying the village is reneging on a previous promise to use home-rule sales tax to fund refuse services.
East Dundee, which spends about $360,000 annually for garbage collection, has not been charging residents directly for the service. The new fee stems from officials' discussions over finding new revenue sources to balance the budget this year and stabilize future finances.
Village President Lael Miller said the additional charge could only be a temporary fix. The ordinance includes a sunset clause that requires the village board to revisit the fee each year.
"The whole point of it is that when we get to April 30 of next year, it won't automatically renew, and we may not need to," he said. "That would be our hope."
Trustees also voted 5-1 to implement a rebate program for people 65 and older. Qualified residents, including those living in Village Green and Gardiner Place, will be offered a 25 percent discount on the fee.
Lynam cast the lone "no" vote on that measure.
Most residents will see the additional charge on their bimonthly water and sewer bills. Those with private wells will receive separate bills for garbage collection.