At Monday afternoon’s Mount Carmel City Council meeting, Garbage Commissioner Susan Zimmerman proposed increasing garbage rates for city residents.
Zimmerman told council members rising costs have made an increase necessary despite efforts to delay it as long as possible. Under the proposal, garbage rates would increase by one dollar beginning July 1st of 2026, with an additional one-dollar increase taking effect July 1st of 2027.
Zimmerman said the increases would help the city continue offering services such as leaf pickup and brush pickup, while also helping offset increases in the city’s garbage contract costs.
During council discussion, officials noted the rate increase ordinance will require two readings before it can be approved. The proposal was accepted as a first reading Monday, with a second reading expected at the next city council meeting.
City officials indicated the increase would likely provide only a tight margin in covering future expenses, but said the timeline should still allow implementation by July 1st.