Cost increases for city services to take effect

Cost increases for a handful of city of Springfield services are slated to take effect July 1.

The changes impact fees for sewer service, the Noble Hill Sanitary Landfill and the Yardwaste Recycling Center. The increases were approved by Springfield City Council in February.

Sewer service
A planned 3% rate increase for customers of the city's sewer service is on its way.

The increase would cost an additional $1.18 per month for the average user, according to a news release.

"The increase in rates will facilitate the continued improvement of the city’s aging sewer system and allow the community to remain in compliance with federal Clean Water Act regulations," officials said in the release.

After the July 1 increase, an average residential customer who uses 600 cubic feet of water will see their bill rise to $40.78 from $39.60 per month.

Council in February approved a series of sewer rate increases that will last through 2025, according to the release.

Landfill and recycling
Costs for customers to use the city's Noble Hill Sanitary Landfill and Yardwaste Recycling Center facilities are going up.

For so-called tipping fees at the landfill, commercial customers can expect a 5% increase to $35.47 from $33.78 per ton, according to a separate news release. The minimum charge of $20 per vehicle is not changing.

Fees increases at the recycling center vary depending on the waste.

"These fee adjustments are unfortunately necessary in response to increased regulatory requirements, rising costs in fuel equipment and other operational expenses," said Dan Jessen, superintendent of solid waste, in the release.

Over 1,130 tons of trash are disposed each day at the landfill. The city's drop-off recycling locations see 250,000 visitors annually, diverting nearly 3,900 tons of recyclable solid waste from the landfill, according to the city.