The City of West Lafayette is looking to change its trash ordinance. The main component is a proposed increase for residents in the cost of trash, recycling and yard waste. The current $9 a month rate would go up to $16. Council President Ann Hunt says the last increase was 20 years ago, and the cost of providing the services has gone up since then. “If you look at, in particular, gas prices – and a big percent of the street department (budget) is gas prices,” she says. “In 1993 gas prices were from $1.05 to $1.27. When I got gas last week it was $3.86.” Hunt says the proposal includes a hardship waiver for low-income residents and also requires trash containers to have lids that can close tightly. The goal of that is to prevent water and debris from infiltrating into gutters and storm water systems. Clerk-Treasurer Judy Rhodes says the Wastewater Utility financial plan assumed a $16 amount for 2014 planning purposes, however an effective date for any change has not been determined. As
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