MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A potential rate increase involving the Mountaineer Transfer Station is now on the agenda for the Morgantown City Council.
A proposed ordinance that would approve an increase of a waste deposit tariff from $61.25 per ton to $81.25 per ton by Republic Services subsidiary Allied Waste LLC was moved to the agenda after a presentation by Republic Services General Manager Tom Berry.
“All of our collectors received the increase to the transfer station automatically, including our own collection companies that are paying that new trash rate,” Berry said. “Going forward with that, we’re passing through that increase through all of the users that bring their waste into the transfer station.”
In accordance with the ordinance, Morgantown residents who use Republic Services would see an increase of approximately $2.43 per month if it’s approved by the council. Berry said a letter requesting the increase was submitted to the state Public Service Commission request that included a supplement of more than $250,000 in costs to keep rates from significantly increasing. Transfer customers in Marion and Ohio counties are also receiving similar increases.
“They essentially take a calculation of how much waste is coming from the residential side, calculated out by how many residents are serviced, and then they determine a rate that kind of covers these costs,” said Berry on how the rates were determined.
Members of the council voiced concerns over the rate increases due to financial and efficiency factors. Council member Danielle Trumble, who has been one of the more vocal critics, expressed concern about a second rate increase that takes place just over a year after rates were increased in January 2023. While appreciative of the covered costs by Republic Services, she also expressed a desire to hopefully find a long-term rate that could be established in the event that rates are increased.
“I was very unset on our contract when we signed it,” said Trumble on the initial rate increase passed in 2023. “And I think, if we said it was going to be an additional $2.50 a month on top of that, I certainly would’ve considered it even more.”
The rate increases have been approved by the PSC and if approved by council, the increase would be comparable to the approximately $2.43 per month per customer increase that was approved in January 2023. Despite some members of council seeking a long-term rate for Morgantown residents using the Mountaineer Transfer Station, this increase appears to be on track to pass.
“I would echo the concern about the increase in costs, but I appreciate that you all met with our city management monthly to discuss that, so you all have done a great job,” said Morgantown Mayor M. Joe Abu-Ghannam.