Inverness to absorb fee increase for trash collection

The Inverness village board has opted to absorb a slight fee increase from its waste management provider instead of passing along the expense directly to residents.

Groot Industries Inc. will charge 1.6 percent more for trash and recycling pickup effective Oct. 1, an increase that’s tied to the consumer price index under a franchise agreement Inverness has with the company through 2016. The contract calls for annual fee adjustments between 1 and 4 percent.

“The board decided it would absorb the cost to give residents some rate stability,” Village Administrator Curt Carver said. “The typical customer will pay the same.”

The bulk of single-family home customers will continue to pay $23.04 per month for curbside collection. Residents who pay extra for backdoor service may see a slight increase, Carver said.

Carver said a customer’s bill includes fees for both trash pickup service provided by Groot and disposal provided by the Solid Waste Agency of Cook County. The village expects a budget surplus in related funds and chose to absorb about $9,700 for SWANCC’s services so that residents wouldn’t have to pay more.

The rates will be in effect for the next year.