Salem-area residents struggle to get promised discount on garbage rates
When Salem City Council voted to increase garbage rates during their Aug. 22 meeting, councilors also opted to increase the discount available to people who might need it most: low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
But few know about the sizable discount on trash services andcurrently receive it. And some who try to get their bills reduced struggle with red tape of government bodies, nonprofits and paperwork needed to qualify.
The increase will be paired with the option of service every other week and an increase in the discount on trash service provided to senior and disabled low-income customers from 10% to 20%.
The 20% discount is offered as part of the city's Utility Rate Relief Program through Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency and is available to residential customers who are 60 years and older or disabled, are the named customer on their account and have a household income at or below 60% of the state median income.
According to city records, only 12 people are enrolled in the program as of Tuesday.
During the Aug. 22 meeting, councilor Chris Hoy said he wanted more to be done to increase awareness of the discount available to seniors and residents with disabilities.
He said the city faced a similar lack of awareness over the assistance provided for water utility services until a concerted push to include information in paper and electronic bills boosted enrollment. Hoy said he wanted to see a similar effort to let people know about the discount available for trash services.
"I think that's really important because if people don't know that a program exists, they're never going to apply for it," Hoy said. "I think it's incumbent upon us to get that information out."
Starting Jan. 1, there will be an 8.48% increase in Marion County for roll cart services and a 10.54% increase in Polk County for roll cart services.
The increase means most residential customers in Marion County will see an annual increase of approximately $32.40, or about $2.70 a month. Polk County customers will see an annual increase of $33, or $2.27 a month.
The increase was made at the behest of the Mid-Valley Garbage and Recycling Association, a body comprised of the six solid waste management haulers serving residents and businesses in Salem. Haulers cited inflation, increased labor costs and difficulties in the recycling market as the reasons for a price hike.
When the increase takes effect Jan. 1, the Marion County portion of Salem will have the second highest rate among a comparison of Oregon cities, second only to Gresham. Similarly-sized Eugene has a monthly rate of $24.65 while Salem-Marion County has a rate of $34.75 and Salem-Polk County has a rate of $29.05.
Struggling to get the discount
The discount piquedthe interest of Jean Bockelman-McInnis. She said she understands the reasons for garbage rates going up; getting 20% off her monthly bill would help offset some of the financial burden of inflation and rising costs. She found the process for signing up confusing and reached a dead end.
"I certainly qualify, but when I called the city utility rate relief program and the Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, I was told that there was no such thing as a discount," Bockelman-McInnis said.
She was instead pointed to a one-time relief program, not a discount, provided to some low-income residents for utility relief.
Bockelman-McInnis said she doesn't want to take that money from a family that could need it more. She said she doesn't see herself as truly needy, but as a senior who would be helped by a 20% discount.
"We don't have children," she said. "We can get by … but I thought, 'They're raising rates, I won't always be able to get by and so if a discount is available to low-income seniors, that would be lovely.'"
MWVCAA makes referrals to the discount from people who are eligible for the services but do not track whether or not someone signs up because the discount is through a city program. The city refers people to the agency for qualification.
City officials said Bockelman-McInnis's experience might have been caused by a general miscommunication — a misunderstanding about what discount she was trying to access.
She said she would keep trying.
During public testimony during the Aug. 22 meeting, residents expressed frustration during written and public testimony about the existing level of service and cost of trash service.
Residents cannot pick which of the six garbage haulers they do business with. Which company they get is dependent on where they live.
Discount dependent on living within city limits
City spokesman John Winn said the increase in the low-income senior discount was negotiated by Salem officials as part of the recent rate setting process.
"The City of Salem only negotiates rates for those accounts held within Salem city limits. Those who live in Marion or Polk Counties outside the City limits pay different rates that are not negotiated or approved by the City of Salem."
Winn said residents living outside city limits can contact their haulers directly to ask about senior and disability discounts.
Evan Lehman, who lives in rural Marion County south of Salem, tried this approach to no avail. He reached out to hauler D&O Garbage after reading about the discount.
"They're saying that the program doesn't apply to rural customers — too bad, so sad and we are not going to give it to you even if you are disabled or a senior," Lehman said.
Marion County officials did not immediately respond to inquiries on whether they planned to implement a program similar to Salem's to serve rural residents like Lehman.
Winn said the city aims to increase the low number of participants in the relief program.
In the months ahead, city staff will be working with haulers and the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency to raise awareness about the program and the increased discount by making sure those eligible for the discount on their City of Salem Utility bill are also aware of the solid waste discount and can take advantage of both programs.
"Additionally, the plan is to make information available on the City and hauler websites, along with social media posts and utility bill inserts," Winn said. "The discount will be increasing from 10% to 20% and will be effective Jan. 1, 2023, along with the new garbage rates."
How to sign-up for the discount
The city offers the following instructions on enrolling in the program. Information is also available online at cityofsalem.net/community/household/financial-assistance-grants/discount-on-your-garbage-bill.
To enroll in the program, residents must be 60 years of age and older or disabled, live at a single-family residence with an active account with one of Salem's garbage haulers and have a combined household income equal to or less than 60 percent of the area median income based on family size.
Some examples of household income include pensions, annuities, wages, salaries, tips, Social Security benefits, interest, dividends, investments, and public or governmental assistance.
Application process
Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MWVCAA) screens and qualifies applicants for a discount on their garbage bill. You also may qualify for a discount on your City of Salem utility bill.
Step 1: Contact MWVCAA at 971-304-2100 to schedule an appointment.
Step 2: Compile required documents. The following documents are required for applying to the program:
Proof of utility account: Current City of Salem Utility Bill showing enrollment in Utility Rate Relief Program or
Proof of age and income for all household members.
Those needing additional information or support to learn more about this program can call the City of Salem’s Franchise office at 503-588-6258.
Reporter Whitney Woodworth covers city hall, economic development and business for the Statesman Journal. For questions, comments and news tips, email wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem residents struggle to get promised garbage rate discount
