Apartment’s Upset Over Proposal to End City’s Trash Pick-up

CHARLOTTE, N.C.–“For the last year the city has been talking about eliminating multi-family trash service or by making multi-family apartments pay more than single families,” says Bryan Holladay.

Holladay with the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association says the city is dumping budget shortfalls on its renters.

“Right now the city offers trash service to all residents at 25 dollars per year, whether you live in apartment or condo or single family home, what the city is looking to do is eliminate that only for apartments,”  says Holladay.

If eliminated Holladay says the price you pay could go up.

At District Flats apartments in South End, residents received an email saying the cost of valet trash pick up could increase up to at least 12 bucks.  Up to more than 30 bucks per month.

Many renters we talked to aren’t happy about the proposed cuts.

Steve Greer says, “I just think its unfair not something, I agreed to in the lease.”

In an email to WCCB Charlotte, a city spokesperson says the proposed budget does not include any changes to apartment trash pickup and instead includes a proposed .43 cent tax increase, to help pay for new police officers.

“There looking to save 3 million dollars but that’s just one percent of the budget,” says Holladay.

If council decides to reject the tax increase, they will look at several options including the apartment trash pick up schedule.

“Police officers are needed, but the question is should the police officers be paid for by all Charlotte residents or just the ones who live in apartments,” says Holladay.