AUBURN -- Before diving into the presented budget, the committee that proposed the 11 percent property tax cuts in lieu of an universal garbage fee explained why its system is fair, even for those residents who will pay more.

Rick Colavito, Solid Waste Advisory member, told Auburn City Council Thursday why the group is recommending the city adopt a system that will tack on fees to residents' water bills to pay for trash collection, rather than continuing to earmark a percentage of property tax for the service.

Homeowners with a house assessed $70,000 or higher will see relief with this proposal, but homeowners with less assessed value will fork over more in the end, even with the decrease in property taxes.

The committee began reviewing the trash service and revenue stream last year. If the proposal gets council's stamp of approval, city residents would pay nearly $110 per home, or $9 per month.

Currently, property owners fund trash service through taxes. The committee wants revenue based on per unit, meaning apartments, non-profit agencies, and tax-exempt organizations. However, the fees would be added to water bills.

"About a $70,000 or $75,000 home assessment is break-even. If it's below that, you're seeing an increase. I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do," Colavito said.

Councilor Matt Smith questioned the wisdom of a system that would make poorer neighborhoods pay more than wealthier ones. Colavito countered Smith's comments by saying flat fees are fair, unlike the current setup which allows some homeowners to pay $70 and others $280 annually based on their homes' worth.

He added that if passed, the city would revisit the figures after the first billing to make sure the city didn't receive more than it needs to operate the curb-side collection, City Manager Mark Palesh said.

Sanitation Supervisor Michael Talbot has researched other communities with similar systems and called the suggested amount "a bargain."

For the complete story, read Friday's edition of The Citizen