Trash Fees
Today we got a notice about the $300 trash collection fee the city has approved. The letter clearly stated that our property tax millage rate would go down immediately. However, it failed to point out that we’re paying way more for trash collection now than we were under the old system. Our trash collection cost went from $60 per year to $300 per year! I’m still trying to figure out how the average Detroiter is going to be able to pay for this. No wonder 10,000 people leave the city every year….
I’ve got to disagree with you on this one. The trash fee really isn’t changing that much. On the surface, it looks like our trash fee is going from $60 to $300 for no reason. But, what about when you consider that the fee has gone unchanged for 30 years? Using the CPI, $60 in 1965 equates to about $371 today; we’re only being asked to pay $300. Furthermore, the 3-mill property tax reduction for the termination of the garbage disposal service does make an impact. For example, even though my residence has a very low value because it is classified as a NEZ, I’m going to save $222 this year on my property tax bill with the elimination of these 3 mills. Ultimately, it only means I’m seeing an $18 increase in my trash fees. I can definitely live with that.
I must admit I got the letter too and was none too pleased. I realize that it is about time, but it still hurts to see it in writing, especially since this is the first year I’ll be paying property taxes and therefore have no reference point.
As a homeowner I am appalled by any increase! My ‘bone of contention’ lies in the fact that our municipal services are minimal or non-existent. When anyone objects to any increase in taxes, home-owner’s insurance or increase in utilities there are always bean counters justifying the travesty with current increases other cities have experienced or comparisons of past CPI’s and their NEZ’s! All I know is that sometimes the city does not pick up trash consistently, automobile insurance is through the roof South of 8 mile road, water utilities have increased, DTE/Gas has increased and no one answers the phone at the city county building. If they do you had better treat them with sugar and honey because you will be ignored or your requests for service sabotaged. I don’t mind increases which bring us up to par with the current times, ultimately improving the city and its denizens standards of living (especially the old and fixed income) but I would also like to see some improvements in the local, maintenance and landscaping of this city North of DOWNTOWN’s limits and in these neighborhoods.
i have told the tale here of my year of theft in what is considered one of the nicer areas of the city and the extreme lack of service and response that came with each incedent so i did something about it: i’ll be closing on my new house in the suburbs in a couple weeks. i was in the city limit for over six years and was completely happy until last year. mayoral scandal, crime, insurance rates, and ever increasing fees/taxes (not to mention the ridicule of my friends for the city taxes taken from my pay check) have finally become too much. it’s a nice place to visit but i wouldn’t want to live there (again).