See frequently asked questions about the new quarterly refuse fee.
In order to offset increases in the cost of collecting and disposing refuse, the Village is implementing an $8.75 monthly refuse fee that will appear on quarterly customer utility bills beginning on November 1, 2021. The total annual cost of over $6 million to provide refuse collection and disposal increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, recycling costs are increasing as a result of the global recycling commodities market and increased processing costs. Very few communities provide free refuse service, and the new $8.75 monthly fee will be the lowest in the area and only represents one-third of the actual annual cost for refuse collection and disposal.
The Village has maintained a property tax freeze on residential and commercial properties for over 30 years and strives to provide exceptional services at the lowest cost possible to residents. With the onset of the new refuse fee, Skokie has the second lowest combined rate of fees for refuse, water, sewer, vehicle stickers, sales tax and property tax among 16 nearby comparable communities.
In tandem with the new monthly refuse fee, the Village Board has charged the Sustainable Environmental Advisory Commission with beginning a study on how the Village can maximize recycling and waste reduction initiatives in an effort to mitigate and potentially decrease refuse disposal costs. That study began in October 2021 and will continue for the remainder of the year, with more information forthcoming.