The Portland City Council will hear

that would raise garbage rates for all residential customers.

But the size of the rate hike depends on what kind of garbage service a home gets now.

The proposal, which would go into effect July 1, calls for a range of rate increases -- from less than 1 percent all the way up to 9.5 percent.

And, according to the city, curbside composting is not the culprit.

Residents with the lowest level of service -- homes that get garbage pick-up every four weeks and recycling and composting pick-up every week -- would see the biggest hit.

For example, those customers with 35-gallon roll carts would see their rates increase by 9 percent, from $21.25 to $23.15 per month. Those with the same level of service but slightly smaller 32-gallon cans would see their rates jump 9.5 percent, from $19.95 to $21.85.

Typical customers, those who use 35-gallon roll carts and have every-other-week garbage, would see a 4.2 percent increase, from $28.50 to $29.70.

City officials say it's not composting that's driving rate increases. Instead, the proposed increases are being driven by a 2008 city policy that requires haulers replace aging trucks to curb pollution. The city says that policy accounts for 90 cents of the $1.20 increase on typical customers.

Customers who use 60-gallon or 90-gallon roll carts would see rate increases of less than 1 percent.

One last caveat: These rates refer to customers on Portland's east side. Customers on the west side pay a surcharge because the routes are hillier.

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Reading:

The Oregonian:

Portland Business Journal:

The Portland Tribune:

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