The single‑family residential sanitation fee will increase from $350 to $360 per household for the upcoming fiscal year. The adjustment was approved by the Decatur City Commission on March 2 and reflects a recommendation from the Decatur Public Works Department based on rising costs to provide essential sanitation and recycling services.
This fee increase helps support key services residents rely on, including pay‑as‑you‑throw (PAYT) garbage collection, yard waste pickup, commingled recycling, and separate glass recycling. After reviewing operating costs and industry trends, staff determined that the increase is necessary to maintain current service levels.
PAYT bag prices and commercial sanitation service fees will remain the same.
Higher costs for fuel, vehicle parts, supplies, and an anticipated 2.5% merit‑based salary adjustment contributed to the recommendation. The fee also supports the City’s recycling programs, which continue to collect cardboard, paper, plastics #1 and #2, metal, and glass. Recycling costs have risen as well: the processing fee for commingled recyclables increased from $60 to $70 per ton, with about 150 tons collected each month, and the separate glass program brings in $20 per ton for roughly 40 tons collected monthly.
Additionally, sanitation fees help fund community services such as electronics recycling, document shredding, Styrofoam recycling, and neighborhood cleanup events. The estimated cost to host spring cleanup events alone is approximately $60,000, and without this adjustment, several of these programs would likely need to be reduced or discontinued.
The updated sanitation fee will go into effect July 1, 2026.
Residents who qualify for the S‑2 homestead exemption will continue to receive applicable fee offsets for solid waste and stormwater services.