The hike would increase the average residential customer's bill from $15 to about $17 a month.

Waste Management says it would help with rising operating expenses. Another issue: Garbage bins.

Opponents say they would be an eyesore.

Councilman Jim Hunt says the matter needs more work.

"There needs to be more thought in to that," said Hunt. "They're a company that operates all over the country and I think they can do a better effort of educating the public by letting our citizens see what they are going to have to put up with in these very large containers."

Council approved a resolution opposing the proposed rate hike, which is in the hands of the Public Service Commission.