News : Higher diesel prices mean higher garbage cost for Vinton

When the Vinton City Council and garbage hauler Herb Boots agreed to the multi-year contract for garbage hauling, the price of diesel fuel was $2.56 per gallon. The city’s contract with Boots contains a provision allowing Boots to seek an increase in the monthly per-household rate if the price of fuel rose to $3.11.

That happened several months ago; diesel fuel is now around $3.47 per gallon. Boots informally spoke to the council during its meeting last Thursday. The council agreed to a 50 cent per household increase, from $7.65 to $8.15 per household per month.

Each household is currently billed $.9.63 per month to cover the city’s payments to Herb’s Garbage Hauling, as well as landfill expenses and other solid waste disposal costs.

City Administrator Andy Lent said the council will officially adopt the $8 rate paid to Herb’s during its next meeting. But he said he did not know if the council will also increase the monthly household fee.