AUBURN, Ala.- Starting Oct. 1, Auburn residents who are subscribed to the City’s solid waste services (including garbage, trash and recycling collection) will see an adjustment in their collection rates for the first time since 2014.

Monthly fees for curbside collection will increase from $23.50 to $32. Backdoor collection will increase from $33.50 to $69.50. For those with a medical waiver, backdoor collection will be the same rate as curbside collection — $32.

Why a change?

Over time, the cost per customer for these services has become more than the fees charged. Even though the number of customers has grown, service fees don’t cover the cost of the growing demand for the City’s solid waste services.

Since 2014, the number of households the City services has risen by 55%, from 12,563 to 19,504. These services are funded through an enterprise fund designed to be self-sustaining by covering all operational and capital costs. Over the past 13 years, the City’s general fund has provided $3.1 million to bridge the gap between service costs and user fees. The annual amount the general fund has had to subsidize is increasing.

So far this year, the general fund has transferred $1.4 million and will contribute an additional $600,000 before the year ends. Projections show that within the next four years, the general fund would have to subsidize around $9 million to cover the services if the rates were to stay where they are.

The goal of the upcoming rate increase is to make the Solid Waste Fund more self-sufficient so it can cover its own costs without subsidies from tax revenue that funds other City services. This helps City staff better prepare for current needs and future growth without impacting the general fund, which supports other essential City services like Police, Fire, Public Works and Parks and Recreation.

Why increase the rates now?

Periodically, the City enlists the help of an outside agency to conduct rate studies to assess and forecast the financial needs of solid waste services. The last two were conducted in 2017 and 2023. Both of those recommended rate increases to cover the cost of the services.

Preparations to implement a rate increase were underway in 2019, but those plans were put on pause as economic uncertainty arose during COVID-19. Instead, the City opted to continue subsidies from the general fund to absorb rising costs and reduce the burden on our residents during that time. The upcoming change is intended to bring the fund closer to financial sustainability without relying on the general fund, reserving those funds for other essential services.

Customers can expect to see an increase on bills received after Oct. 1, 2025. For more information, visit auburnal.gov/es.