West Salem residents will see higher garbage bills over the next two years after the Salem City Council approved new solid waste collection rates, while most Salem customers in Marion County will see no change. The plan also adds a larger 95-gallon cart option that will be available to households across the city starting Jan. 1, 2026.
Councilors voted unanimously on Nov. 24 to adopt Resolution 2025-28 following a public hearing and staff presentation on the rate proposal. The new schedule sets increases for the Polk County zone — which covers West Salem — effective Jan. 1, 2026, and again on Jan. 1, 2027, while keeping rates flat in the Marion County zone for at least the next couple of years.
Salem sets garbage rates separately for its two zones. Under the adopted plan, roll-cart customers in West Salem will see a 3.7% increase on Jan. 1, 2026. For the most common residential service level — a 35-gallon cart — that works out to about $1.20 more per month, bringing the bill to $33.05. Another bump follows on Jan. 1, 2027, when roll-cart rates in Polk County climb by 4.6%…