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The City Council of Reading, Pennsylvania, has approved an ordinance to raise the solid waste and recycling fee by 3% in 2025. This increase will raise the annual cost per home to $208.62 from the current $202.55, according to WFMZ.com. The increase is the maximum allowed in the city's contract with its trash collector.
Finance Director Jamar Kelly explained that the city is duty-bound to pass on the 3% increase in the contract to its customers. The ordinance is scheduled to be formally adopted at the council's voting meeting next Monday.
Council President Donna Reed stated that the increase is modest compared to other municipalities. For instance, Allentown recently approved a new trash contract that will raise the rates by 78% over the next two years.
The iHeartRadio report also mentioned that the annual cost will continue to include fees for solid waste, recycling, the annual "clean city" surcharge for yard waste, tires, and electronics, as well as an annual administrative charge.