A proposed increase in DeKalb’s garbage collection fee was rejected by the DeKalb City Council at their regular meeting Monday.

The council voted 4-2 against accepting the city staff’s recommendation to allow a $2.97 per unit per year increase in the garbage collection fee.

DeKalb County Disposal requested the increase as a result of the 45 cents per cubic yard landfill surcharge mandated by the state which became effective Jan. 1. DCD costs will increase with the surcharge while their income remains the same.

Assistant to the City Manager Gary Boden said DCD’s request was consistent with the anticipated increase in its costs due to the surcharge. Boden also said other communities are making an allowance similar to that requested by DCD.

DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow supported the proposed increase. Sparrow said DCD has provided a good service to DeKalb with twice-a-week pickup. He said the city’s contract with them is a long standing one, and said allowing the increase would be a chance for the city to treat DCD better than the state has.

Fourth Ward Alderman Rita Tewksbury and 6th Ward Alderman Steve Brody voted in favor of the increase.

owever, the remaining aldermen voted down the increase. Seventh Ward Alderman Jay Stein said he sympathized with the fact DCD had to absorb higher costs as a result of the surcharge. However, he said he did not think it was appropriate to allow the increase in the cost to DeKalb residents.