West Jordan splits trash fee into $20 base and $4.72 seasonal can Dec. 1

The West Jordan City Council voted 6-1 on Oct. 27 to change how the city charges for garbage and recycling service. The new rates take effect Dec. 1, and the city will apply them to each customer's first utility bill that includes December service dates. ^[2][4]

Under the amended fee schedule, basic service costs $20 a month and includes one garbage can and one recycling can. The seasonal can, which is serviced April through November but billed every month, is $4.72 a month and is closed to new enrollments. Each additional garbage or recycling can is $6.50 a month, with a $10 fee for each can delivered beyond the basic service cans. Additional cans must stay on the account for at least a year. ^[3]

The previous basic rate was $24.72 a month and included garbage, recycling and seasonal cans. City staff told the council a household that keeps those three cans would see no change in its total, $20 plus $4.72. Rates for extra cans drop; a second garbage can was $15.19 a month and is now $6.50. ^[3][4]

The city's staff report says the changes align the rates with the city's new collection contract and are meant to return the solid waste fund to full cost recovery by fiscal year 2029. It says the structure and annual increases were discussed at the Oct. 13 Committee of the Whole meeting, where most council members supported the $20 base charge, the $4.72 seasonal charge and the $10 delivery fee. ^[2]

Council Member Kayleen Whitelock moved to approve Resolution 26-044 and Council Member Chad Lamb seconded. Council Member Zach Jacob voted no. The other six members voted yes. ^[4] Jacob said he would prefer to wait until the collection contract changes next summer. ^[4]

The council held a public hearing before the vote; no one spoke. ^[2][4] The fee schedule is effective through June 30, 2027. ^[3]