VIRGINIA BEACH — Residents will see an increase in the cost of certain utilities on their bill this month. The city raised the rates and a fee for most of the services in the combined Public Utility and Public Works bill as of July 1.
For those who have curbside recycling as part of their trash collection, they will see the largest fee increase of $3.05 a month, bringing the solid waste collection fee to $30.55.
Recycling costs were expected to double when the city renewed its annual contract with TFC Recycling of Chesapeake at the end of June. The average number of homes using curbside recycling in Virginia Beach is 125,000.
The city conducted a survey to gauge whether residents would accept higher bills to ensure curbside recycling remains an option.
The survey of 9,948 residents found a wide majority of respondents, 86.9%, consider curbside recycling “essential” or “important,” and many were willing to pay more for the service. Of those, 55.6% responded that they were able to pay $1-4 more per month, according to the survey.
Water and sewer fees or rates have also grown as part of a multi-year, phased effort to help maintain the current level of utility services, including employee compensation costs. The increases, which started last July, will be spread out over five years.
The storm water fee has not increased.
New fees/rates effective July 1:
- The new water service fee will be $5.53 per month, an increase of 53 cents.
- The new water usage rate will be $5.74 per 1,000 gallons per month, an increase of 54 cents.
- The new sanitary sewer fee will be $32.37 per month, an increase of 79 cents.
- The new solid waste collection fee will be $30.55 per month, an increase of $3.05.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
