After nearly two-and-a-half years of trash talk, Cheyenne has decided to raise its solid waste fees.

The Cheyenne City Council voted 8 to 2 Monday night to increase garbage rates by 8 percent over the next five years.

"Eight percent is not easy for people and I understand that," said Public Works Director Vicki Nemecek. "But it's absolutely a necessity for us to move forward with the solid waste plan that the people of the City of Cheyenne deserve."

Nemecek says the rate increase will help fund the expansion of the Solid Waste Transfer Station and the Happy Jack Landfill.

"We've got some 6th Penny money that we're moving forward with now," said Nemecek. "As we move forward with these rate increases, that'll collect the money that we need to pay the bond to do the transfer station and of course the landfill as we move into 2017 and 2018."

Council members Mike Luna and Annette Williams voted against the fee increase, which takes effect on July 1.

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