Superior City Council Narrowly Shoots Down Proposed Garbage Fee, Vote Was Too Close for Comfort

For years City of Superior Residents have paid much higher taxes than surrounding areas.  According to WDIO, it averages 36% higher than Duluth residents.  The city has always said that a perk of our higher taxes was we didn't have to pay for garbage.  Now not only have they included a recycling fee, they were trying to add a $9.75 per month garbage fee.  That whole idea is garbage.

Fortunately, the council shot down the proposal with a 6-4 vote.  But it shouldn't have been that close!  It's not the residents fault that the money hasn't been properly handled.  Where are all of our tax dollars going?  Hagen says it's nobody's fault, and that it has to do with outside forces such as the EPA, and the DNR.

If we are paying 36% higher for property taxes, then the city should be able to cover the garbage services.  Yes the monthly fee of $9.75 would be cheap compared to other private collection services in Duluth, but our higher taxes have always been justified by the city saying that we don't have a garbage fee.   Don't forget, they also added a recycling fee lately as well.

What about all of these free dump days, or spring clean up?  They are nice to have, but I would much rather have them take away these days to cut costs than have a monthly fee.  There has been several times that I drive to the dump ready to pay, and I'm told I don't need to that day because it's a "free" day.  While it was nice at the time, I'd much rather see these days go away to save money, rather than charging every resident monthly.

How about the landfill raises the price to other garbage services that they take waste from?  We've paid our share in Superior all of these years with our HIGH taxes.

What are your thoughts Superior residents?  Are you ready to pay for garbage?  I'd gladly pay for garbage if they reduced our taxes to match surrounding cities rates.