LA GRANDE — Disposing trash may get a little more expensive later this year for residents of La Grande.

City councilors will consider approving a fee increase in service rates for Waste-Pro during their regular meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 5.

Darin Larvik, Waste-Pro operations manager, requested the city council increase fees 2.7%, which is in line with the 2024 consumer price index. Key factors driving the increase include labor, equipment, landfill prices, insurance costs and recycling trends.

“We conduct an annual review of our collection and disposal rates to request adjustments based on the previous year’s expenses,” Larvik said.

In a letter to councilors, Larvik explained Waste-Pro is facing significant labor challenges, especially when it comes to attracting and retaining employees with commercial driver’s licenses. The company began an in-house training program and anticipates a 5% labor cost increase for the coming year.

The cost for disposal at the Baker Sanitary Landfill went up 5% and the market prices for recycling decreased, according to Larvik. Liability and property insurance premiums are projected to increase 20% this year.

Larvik said it is increasingly expensive to replace old equipment given new emissions regulations. The state’s mandate for electric trucks also presents challenges for the company due to availability.

Larvik added the garbage compactor at the transfer station is nearing the end of its life and a replacement is estimated to cost $2.2 million.

“These factors have a significant impact on our operating costs,” Larvik said. “The requested rate increase of 2.7% will help us to maintain the current quality and efficiency of our waste collection services as we absorb these inflationary costs.”

If approved, the new fee structure would go in effect March 1 and would translate to a roughly 85 cent increase per month for typical residential service in La Grande. Weekly garbage service would increase to $32.35 per month while those paying for garbage services every other week would see an increase to $26.95 per month.

In February 2024, Waste-Pro increased prices 3.4%, which followed a 7.1% increase in 2023 and a 12% increase in 2022. Prior to 2022, prices had not changed since 2018.

The Wednesday, Feb. 5, regular session of the La Grande City Council, which is open to the public, will begin at 6 p.m. at La Grande City Hall, 1000 Adams Ave. The meeting also will be streamed live on the EO Alive website and Facebook page. The meeting also can be viewed on Charter Communications channel 180.