South Coatesville Borough residents will see an increase in trash fees for 2024, affecting approximately 560 households. Borough council voted unanimously to increase the annual trash fee from $250 to $375, effective Jan. 1. “The normal resident of the borough may be shocked when they see a $375 trash bill,” resident Tina Floyd said. In January, the borough accepted a trash removal bid from Reading-based provider J.P. Mascaro and Sons. The trash contract is intact for three years. South Coatesville is currently paying $17,303 a month for trash services. Council Vice President Monica Watson said the borough budgeted, “a whole lot less than that.” She also said the trash bid had not been factored into the 2023 budget, as it came in late in 2022. “Our trash fees have increased substantially since the last bid,” Watson said. The borough previously paid $9,000 a month for trash services with trash hauler Waste Management. The council had raised trash fees by $100 in May 2023. South Coatesville Borough Council passed the 2024 budget with revenues of $2.2 million and expenditures of $1.98 million during a special meeting held Dec. 14. Residents will not see a tax increase next year, as the tax rate will remain at 9.1 mills.
Source: Lancaster Online; 12/12/2023 and 12/28/2023