Rolling Meadows explores trash discount for seniors, snowbirds

Rolling Meadows will be testing the generosity of its residents in an upcoming survey.

The city will ask if homeowners would be willing to pay extra on refuse bills to give low-income seniors and snowbirds — those who leave the city for several months at a time — a discount on their trash services.

At the city's committee meeting Tuesday, Alderman Larry Buske proposed the discount on refuse and recycling services for low-income seniors with restrictions similar to the circuit breaker discounts now in place.

Separately considered was a reduced rate for snowbirds, or residents who are not living in the city for three to four months per year. The proposed discount would give homeowners 50 percent off their refuse rates for the months they are not living in Rolling Meadows, Buske said. T

If the city offered a 50 percent discount — the maximum proposed under the plan — to its low-income seniors, the savings would mean a senior would pay $14.04 per month. A non-senior resident would pay $29.75 per month, an increase of $1.67 from the current rate of $28.08 per month for all residents.

Several aldermen wondered how the city would make up revenue lost by giving discounts. Spending down reserves “just to be a nice guy” goes against the fiscal responsibility the council discussed during recent budget talks, Alderman Jim Larsen said.

City officials could not estimate how many seniors or "snowbirds" would take advantage of the discounts, noting that there are are up to 595 homes that may be eligible. Even with possible restrictions like requiring a doctor's note from the resident to prove they must move to a different climate because of health reasons, most aldermen agreed that without a survey to residents they cannot not make a decision.

The issue will be addressed again at the city's March 8 board meeting.