Hillsborough County Trash Bill Going Up: Here’s Why

Hillsborough County trash bill going up; Here's why. If you live in Hillsborough country, your trash bill is going up. Just like everything else in this country. It seems like we are constantly getting hit with higher bills. This hike however, I feel is ok after reading the story on Fox13news. I live in Hillsborough county, so when I saw the story that Hillsborough County trash bills were going up it was of interest to me. It says that the average home owners bill is going to go up about $40 a year, which you first think, wow, that is quite a hike. When you break it down, It averages out to be about $3,37 a month, hmmm...that's really not that much. But, then, after reading why it was happening, I wasn't so upset. I am actually happy to pay the extra to help. It seems like our landfills are running out of room. That is not good news in Florida. Hillsborough county commissioners voted 5-2 earlier this week to approve the increase. The solid waste department's director told the meeting that the county's landfill is running out of room and must be expanded. One thing they said really hit home for me was that the facility is one major storm away from a "solid waste crisis". That is scary to think about. That is the last thing I want to see. I drive on Highway 41 from Apollo Beach up to the crosstown everyday and drive right by the landfill. I swear its growing bigger every week. Mounds and mounds of garbage just piling up in our beautiful state. Related: 2 Of America’s Largest Landfills Are In Florida With 1 Right Here In Tampa Bay Another thing the commissioners mentioned is that some of the county's other facilities are decades old and need improvements as well. The rising costs have also made a rate increase a necessity. It is best to invest in it now to start these much needed improvements. So, the $3.37 a month really isn't all that bad when you think about it. Something cool is that the proposal includes extending discounts for seniors and lower-income families, so that should help out. The new rates will go into effect starting Oct. 1.