Although allowing residents to pick their own plans could result in some not paying at all, Eicks said any fee the city added for trash would result in some residents not paying.

The city would continue to have a “no trash left behind” policy, picking up all trash regardless of payment. If residents didn’t pay their trash fee, they would be subject to a 10 percent penalty and attorney’s fees associated with recovering the money owed.

Graham said there was no way to adjust the trash fee according to how much garbage a residential unit put out.

“There’s no way to calculate how much trash this person puts in compared to how much this person puts in,” he said.

Resident Rob Jozwiak said the city should consider using its own resources to pick up trash instead of contracting the job to BestWay disposal.

Councilwoman Pam Jones said the city had looked into the option.

“The cost was prohibitive by the time we would obtain all the equipment we need,” she said.

Resident Mikeal Vaughn read a letter to the council, in which he said the trash fee was another one in a long line of fees added by city officials, including increased sewer rates, electric rates and a wheel tax.

“The residents of this city cannot afford continuous increases in fee,” he said. “Many forced to choose between buying food or medicine or pay to have their trash removed will look to their health first. I would ask this administration, this council, to look for alternatives before continuingly coming to the taxpayers for more and more money.”

Eicks said city officials would make available in the clerk’s office reports on how they spent the recently approved $3.50 a month storm water fee and the status of federal stimulus money for which they applied.

Muir said the trash fee was necessary to the city’s operation and continued services.

“We don’t have enough revenue to continue business as usual,” he said.

Contact Aleasha Sandley: 640-4805, aleasha.sandley@heraldbulletin.com.