By LISA MACNEIL [email protected]
Commissioners voted 4-1 to pass a resolution increasing the annual assessment rate for southwest Hernando County’s solid waste collection Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU). This area of Spring Hill requires mandatory curbside garbage collection by Republic Services. Commissioner Beth Narverud voted nay on the matter.
The annual rates for single-family and multi-family residential units (for a maximum of 4 units in a building) are currently $176.40 per unit. The new residential rate requested is $185.28 per unit, an increase of $8.88 per unit.
Utilities Director Gordon Onderdonk presented the resolution to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) at the regular meeting on July 13, 2021. The county has contracted with Republic Services since 2019 for curbside pickup for solid waste and recycling. After a rocky start, Commissioner Steve Champion no longer feels like “The Commissioner of Trash,” a term he used in the first year of Republic’s service, which ended in a denial of their request for an increase then — due to poor service and a deluge of citizen complaints.
Since then, the board agrees that service has greatly improved.
As stated in their contract, Republic Services may request an annual increase based upon changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS). For calendar year 2022, Republic Services is requesting a five percent (5%) rate increase.
According to the contract, the annual increase for Republic Services cannot exceed 5% during the remaining term of the contract, which ends in 2025. The maximum annual amount for future years that may be charged under this current agreement would be $214.00.
