Ephrata City Council raises garbage rates

EPHRATA — Residential garbage collection fees will increase 6% to 10% in Ephrata this year, and rates for a container will increase 8% to 15%, after Ephrata City Council members on Wednesday approved an ordinance setting new rates.

Finance Director Leslie Trachsler said the higher fees for city residents reflect increases charged to companies that use the Grant County Landfill. Grant County commissioners approved landfill fee increases in November. The fee to dump garbage, called a tipping fee, was increased to $49.33 per ton from $28.80 per ton. The new rates go into effect March 1.

Residential rate increases in Ephrata depend on the customer’s pickup schedule and the size of the trash container, Trachsler said. Weekly pickup for a 65-gallon garbage container will be $24.50 per month. The fee for twice-monthly pickup of a 65-gallon container will be $14.70 per month. Monthly pickup for a 65-gallon container will be $10.40.

The fee for a one-cubic-yard container dumped weekly will be $65.65 per month, and twice-weekly service will be double that price. A three-cubic-yard container with weekly pickup will be $180.20 per month, with double the fee for twice-weekly pickup.

Fees also will increase at the city pool, the Splash Zone. Rates for most city services were increased by about 2.1%, an amount from the Consumer Price Index, in a resolution approved at the city council’s Dec. 16 meeting.

Trachsler said Splash Zone rates were increased by 2.1%, but the city must charge sales tax, which is passed on to pool users.

Admission will be $10 per day for children 6-17 years of age, and people 60 years of age and older. Daily admission for adults will be $11.50. The lap swim will be $5.50 per day. Season passes will be $83.25 for children 6-17 years of age, who are city residents. Adult season passes will be $101.25 for city residents.

Other fees can be found on the city’s website.