The City of Akron will be increasing its monthly trash rates.

Public Service Director Rick Merolla tells AkronNewsNow.com the breakdown of how this will work.

"The average rate payer's bill will go up $1.50 per month, and for those who do not recycle it will go up $2.00 a month, and for those who are qualified for the Homestead Exemption, the rate will go up .50 per month."

The Homestead Exemption Program is for seniors over the age of 65.

Akron City Council voted 12-1 to increase the rates, which would take effect in July. Ward 2's Bruce Kilby was the lone "no" vote.

Ward 2 Councilman Bruce Kilby by Akron NewsNow

Kilby said during Monday night's meeting not only the senior citizens but the "working poor" of Akron  who simply cannot afford the rate hike

"I'm really concerned about the working poor of this community," Kilby said. "This is going to hit them pretty hard."

"I was glad to see that they lowered the first proposal and only raised it  50 cents for those on Homestead Exemption, but there are thousands who are of the working poor in the city and this really hurts them."

Akron City Council President Marco Sommerville by Akron NewsNow

City Council President Marco Sommerville says that even though no one likes to vote for increases, it was necessary for the city to provide the same quality service for residents.

"We have a service that's very helpful to senior citizens, those who are unable to take their trash out to the curb every week, we have a crew that can do that for them and then take their cart to the back of their yard," Sommerville said.

"No one likes these kind of things, but these things are necessary."

Merolla tells AkronNewsNow.com that the move will generate money for the city that will help in many areas including replacing outdated equipment.

Public Service Director Rick Merolla by Akron NewsNow

"This increase will help us purchase some new equipment, because the current equipment we have on the streets is approximately eight years old and was expected to last about five years, so this increase will help us do that."

The last time Council approved a  rate increase for trash pickup was 2008 when a 50-cent increase was implemented.

One of the concerns about raising the monthly trash pickup rate was the impact it would have on the elderly. Merolla said  that they looked into making the increase as flexible as possible.

"When we first brought it ( the proposed rate increase) in we asked for a $1.50 increase for everyone including Homestead Exemption qualifiers," Merolla said.

"City Council asked us to take another look at it, and by doing that we will adjust our lease program on the equipment in order to allow the rate to be reduced for the seniors."