Jun 13, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                       

Contact:   Brigitte Kantor, Lee County Solid Waste Division
                   (239) 338-3302                       

RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE RATES RECOMMENDED TO GO DOWN
 
FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 13, 2007) – Lee County garbage rates are recommended to decrease next year by about two percent. 

The average household rate is slated to go from $230.33 annually to $225.52 if approved at a Board of Lee County Commissioners public hearing to be held June 26 (a Tuesday) at 5 p.m. 

The hearing will be in the Lee County Commission Chambers at the Old County Courthouse, 2120 Main Street in downtown Fort Myers. 

The reduction is primarily due to a decrease in the cost of disposal services, including a decrease in household garbage generation from 1.2 tons per year to 1.1 tons.  That decrease could be due to a storm-free season and residents making more use of the recycling program. 

Existing and proposed (in parentheses) rates in the county's franchise areas are as follows: 

Area 1              Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs                                $218.76           ($212.68)

Area 2              South of Fort Myers West, Captiva                              $227.40           ($221.44)

Area 3              South of Fort Myers East, San Carlos                           $222.48           ($221.92)

Area 4              East, Lehigh, Alva                                                         $234.96           ($229.12)

Area 5              Pine Island, North Fort Myers                                      $248.04           ($242.44)

Area 6              Boca Grande                                                                $178.27           ($178.17)

Average            $230.33           ($225.52)

Lee County is nearing completion (July) of its Waste-to-Energy Facility expansion from a capacity of 1,200 tons per day to 1,800 tons per day.  The facility was completed in August 1994 and disposes of the county's garbage by burning it and generating electricity from a steam driven turbine. 

Since the Waste-to-Energy Plant began operating, residential garbage rates in Lee County have remained relatively flat – varying, on average, from $224 to $226.  The county will continue to emphasize residential and business recycling as a way to contain disposal charges, including educational and promotional programs to encourage recycling participation. 

The curbside collection of electronic equipment for recycling that was started in October 2005 has been very successful with more than 1,500 tons being recycled to date. 

Additionally, Lee County is moving ahead with the development of a permanent household chemical waste drop-off facility that should be operational within nine months.  The county commission will consider the purchase Tuesday of the permanent site for the drop-off facility on Topaz Court off Metro Parkway and north of Crystal Drive. 

The county also is drafting an ordinance establishing a mandatory program for business recycling.  The ordinance is expected to be presented to commissioners in August.

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