star city residents warned: new recycling fee could cost you $200 a year starting next month
If you live in star city, a new fee on your monthly utility bill is about to hit your wallet hard—and it’s not optional. Starting October 1, all single-family homes will be charged an extra $17 per month for recycling pickup, adding up to $204 annually per household. City officials say the fee is needed to cover rising processing costs at the local recycling center, but consumer advocates warn this could disproportionately burden low-income families and renters, who may see the charge passed through without a vote. “This isn’t a luxury service—it’s a basic one that was once included in your taxes,” says local consumer advocacy group Star City Fair Rates. “Now you’re paying double for trash and recycling, with no guarantee the money will actually be used for recycling.” Check your next bill carefully: if the fee appears, you have 30 days to file a formal objection with the city council. Otherwise, expect that $200 hit to become a new yearly expense you can’t escape.