Queen Creek households would pay $20 a month for curbside trash and recycling starting with their March 2027 bills, up from $16.22, under a rate plan the Town Council takes up at a public hearing Nov. 18.
The $3.78 increase, about 23%, would be the first change to the base charge since 2013, according to the Queen Creek Tribune. The council approved a notice of intention to raise solid waste rates and fees on Sept. 16 by a 7-0 vote, which set the hearing for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 18 in the Community Chambers at 20727 E. Civic Parkway.
Town staff and consultant Stantec walked council members through the rate study at the Oct. 7 meeting.
More steps after March
The plan does not stop at $20. The study presented Oct. 7 calls for adjustments of $1 to $4 to the standard residential charge every other year through fiscal 2035, with later changes taking effect Jan. 1.
The schedule shown to the council holds the rate at $20 in 2028, raises it to $23 in 2029, keeps it there in 2030 and moves it to $24 in 2031.
The main driver is the cost of the hauling contract. The study puts contractor expense at $5.1 million in fiscal 2027, growing to $6.8 million by fiscal 2031, based on customer growth and a 3.9% blend of inflation and diesel prices. It also budgets about $330,000 a year to replace roughly 3,200 carts.
Other fees in the proposal
The proposed schedule raises most add-on charges, too:
- Additional trash cart: $7.15 a month to $9
- Recycling-only service for exempt properties: $6.75 to $8
- Full manure cart: $15.15 to $19; half cart: $11.15 to $14
- Extra bulk pickup: $82 to $102
- Pickup on a non-collection day or after a missed set-out: $21.75 to $27
- Cart exchange: $15 to $18
- Temporary discontinuance application: $25 to $31
The $100 cart replacement fee would not change, and an extra recycling cart would still carry no monthly charge.
