PORT ALLEN — Households on West Baton Rouge Parish's garbage service would pay $2.19 more a month under a fee increase the parish council will vote on Oct. 8.

The parish fee applies to homes in unincorporated parts of the parish and in the towns of Brusly and Addis, which are covered by the same Waste Pro contract. "We are included in the same contract as the parish and Addis," Brusly Mayor Scot Rhodes said in an email. The Town of Addis also confirmed it is covered. The City of Port Allen contracts separately with Republic Services.

The proposal raises the monthly solid waste fee from $28.07 to $30.47 per residential unit. A separate administration fee would drop from 54 cents to 33 cents.

Taken together, the total monthly charge would go from $28.61 to $30.80. That's about $26 more a year for each household.

Customers who pay for an extra garbage cart would also pay more. That fee would rise from $10 to $10.86 a month per cart.

The council introduced the ordinance at its Sept. 24 meeting. Council Clerk Michelle Tullier read only its title aloud, as is routine for introductions, and the council did not discuss it.

Why the parish says it needs the increase

The ordinance states the council "has determined that charges and fees on solid waste and trash collection shall be adjusted to keep up with current levels of demand."

"The increase is not tied to any change to the Waste Pro contract," Parish Public Information Officer Madison Cacioppo said in an email.

Instead, the parish's contract with Waste Pro lets the company raise its rate each year on the contract's anniversary, starting in 2025, based on the federal Consumer Price Index for water, sewer and trash collection services. The contract also lets Waste Pro seek other increases for costs beyond its control, such as new taxes or fees.

The parish says any rate change, including this one, requires supporting documentation and formal approval by the parish. The fee increase for residents also requires the council's vote Oct. 8.

When would it start?

If the council approves the ordinance Oct. 8 and Parish President Jason Manola signs it, the new rate would take effect in the parish's billing system on Oct. 16, Cacioppo said. The Utilities Department's billing cycle runs from the 16th of one month through the 15th of the next.

October bills will still show the current rate. Residents would first see the new rate on the bill mailed in December, she said.

Where the money goes

The monthly service fee pays for garbage collection. The administration fee goes to the parish government, the West Baton Rouge Parish Natural Water and Gas System or both, to cover the cost of collecting and administering the fees, according to the ordinance.

The fee applies to every residential unit receiving service in the designated service area, no matter how much trash a household puts out.

What the proposal changes

How to weigh in

The public hearing is set for the council's regular meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 5:30 p.m. at the Government Building, 880 North Alexander Ave., Port Allen.

Residents can speak during the hearing before the council votes.