What are my options under the new trash program?

In order to participate in the city’s trash service, you will have to indicate your choice for fiscal year 2008. The city will mail the first quarter trash fee invoice on or about April 17, 2007.  When you return the payment stub, you will need to indicate your choice to participate or not to participate in the city’s trash service and how you want your past payments handled by the city, as follows:

1) You will be able to continue to participate in the city's trash service and have your previous payments and interest applied toward the current balance.

2) You will be able to continue to participate in the city's trash service and request a refund of your previously made payments with any interest earned.  You will then be responsible for any current fiscal year 2008 balances.

3) You will be able to choose not to participate in the city's trash service and receive a refund of your previously made payments with any interest earned. 

4) If your previously made payments, including interest earned, exceed the annual balance due in fiscal year 2008, you will be issued a refund for that difference.

5) If you have made payments previously and have since sold your property, the city will attempt to issue a refund to you and then bill the new owner for the current balance.

6) If you have previously made payments and because of exemption or other billing adjustment are no longer responsible for the trash fee in fiscal year 2008, you will be issued a refund.

7) If you have not made any payments in fiscal year 2007, you will simply have to indicate whether you want to participate in the city’s trash program for fiscal year 2008.

You will need to return your written response included on the bill reply stub so that the city can either process your refund or apply the payment credit toward the trash fee balance.  In order to calculate the interest correctly and administer the program as efficiently as possible, the city will not be making any independent refunds prior to receiving responses from the April 17, 2007 billing. 

If the city does not receive your written response by May 17, 2007, you may receive another bill mailed on or about May 21, 2007.  If the city still does not hear from you by June 11, 2007, you may receive a telephone message regarding your reply.  Starting July 2, 2007 the city will attempt to leave notices on the trash bins asking for a confirmation you will not participate in the program.  If the city does not hear from you, your trash bin will be taken, you will not receive further trash service from the city and you will not be responsible for the trash fee in fiscal year 2008. 

Trash Fee FAQ:

1. I thought the trash fee was invalidated by the court.
2. I thought the City was going to stop collecting the trash fee.
3. I made payments last year. When will I get my refund?
4. How much interest will I earn?
5. What are my options under the new trash program?
6. Can I re-join the city trash program after I leave it?
7. When will I get the new bill?
8. Can I still get a discount?
9. The number of containers on my trash fee bill is incorrect.
10. I did not receive credit for the return of additional container(s).
11. I only received the discount on one (1) container.
12. I do not have city trash service at my property.
13. The name of the owner on the bill is incorrect.
14. Can I have the trash bill sent to a third party, who is not the primary owner?
15. The service location on the bill is incorrect.
16. The mailing address on the bill is incorrect.
17. When will my bill adjusted?
18. My payment did not show on the bill.
19. Can I pay the trash fee in full, as opposed to 4 quarterly payments?
20. Can I schedule the trash fee payment through an automated debit to my bank?
21. Can I add the trash fee payment to my bank’s existing real estate escrow account?
22. Do I have to pay the trash fee if my property is vacant?
23. Can I return any unwanted or unused containers?
24. Can I get a prorated bill if I do not reside in Springfield for the entire year?
25. Can I submit a birth certificate with my maiden name as a proof of age?
26. Do I have to pay the trash fee if I live in a condominium or mobile home?
27. Will I be billed for containers assigned to my property, even if they are missing?
28. Will this fee increase in the future?
29. Is this a permanent fee?
30. Can I deduct this fee from my taxes?
31. Who is responsible for paying the trash fee?
32. Do I have to pay if I have private trash collection?
33. Do I have to pay the fee if I rent?
34. How much is the trash fee?
35. Do seniors have to pay the full amount?
36. How much do I pay if I have a 60-gallon container?
37. Do I have to pay for recycled items?
38. Does the fee include disposal of bulky items?
39. Will this fee change the way the trash is collected?
40. How can I report a problem with my bill?
41. How can I pay for this fee?
42. When are the bills due?
43. What happens if I pay late?
44. What happens if I don’t pay the fee?
45. Are there discounts from the fee?
46. How do I get more information?

Trash Fee:

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• Trash Fee FAQ
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