The unemployment rate is up and many families everywhere already operate on fixed incomes.
So just how many would want to pay more for trash pick-up?
If the solid waste department has its way, households in Laredo could pay up to a dollar fifty more for trash collection services.
Officials with the solid waste department say they're trying to figure out ways of dealing with a disappearing fund balance and say they don’t want to charge higher fees but don’t really have many options.
A mound of trash may soon be equal to pain in the pocket books for some Laredo residents.
All after the solid waste department asks city council to approve a collection fee increase of a dollar fifty a month.
“We don’t want to get to the point where we charge an arm and a leg. We try to minimize the cost but we still have to pay costs,” says Steven Geiss, acting manager of the city solid waste department.
The trash is piling up but officials of the solid waste department say their fund balance is dwindling, and if nothing is done the balance on their account next year could be zero.
Right now each household pays nine dollars a month for trash pick-up but it's really costing the city three dollars and 80 cents more per home to actually get the job done.
“We asked for 1-50 per month per household, but that doesn’t pay for the entire thing.
The department would still have to find other ways to cut back on costs to stay out of the red.
And although a dollar fifty may not buy much, for some residents it says a lot.
“I think it’s a very big deal. Gas just went up. The heat of Laredo doesn’t help, so electricity bills also run high.”
“I think it's fine. It’s not bad.”
In other Texas cities trash collection can cost anywhere from 15 dollars to even 30 dollars a month, leaving other people here happy with their options.
“It may not be the easiest things for families right now but we have to remember that everyone has their own special circumstances. It would be easier if we jumped on the boat, did it, and got over with an hope for a better economical state.”
City council member Gene Belmares says overall council members agree that a dollar fifty is too much; however they may approve a smaller amount.
He says the solid waste department could be half a million dollars under next year if no action is taken.
Council will continue discussions at Monday’s meeting.