Politics & Government

Port Council Approves Changes to Recycling Tab

Charges for recycling will now appear as a separate charge rather than part of property taxes, a move Port Washington Common Council says will basically be a wash to the typical property owner.

Only people using the recycling service within the city of Port Washington will be paying for the service next year, a move approved unanimously by members of the Port Washington Common Council on Tuesday night.

While recycling services in the past were paid for through property taxes, the  city instead will a separate charge on the property tax bills of those who use the service. That change would net the city $151,000 annually, City Administrator Mark Grams said.

"The bottom line to the average homeowner is going to be a net zero, basically," Ald. David Larson said. "For a  few people, it might be a little more — and I’m talking pennies, dollars … and for a few people, it might be a little less."

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People paying for the service but not able to use it included businesses as well as residents of condominium buildings made of four or more units; such entities are required to also pay for private services if they want recycling options.

The city faces a loss of $80,000 in insured revenues and about $69,000 in transportation aid, Grams said, and is using the shift in costs to help deal with that loss.

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