Students may find themselves paying more for trash pickup and water services when they return next semester.

Norman will be holding a special election regarding rate increases for sanitation pickup and water distribution May 11.

Students who want to vote but will not be in Norman can vote by absentee ballot.

Ballots will be mailed to the voter, who then mails the ballot back to the Cleveland County Election board by 7 p.m. May 11.

If passed, the cost of trash pickup would increase by $1.50 a month, raising the cost from $8 to $9.50.

Also on the ballot is curbside recycling. If passed, residents would pay a monthly fee of $2 for weekly pickup of recyclable goods.

A water rate increase will also be on the ballot. Households using less than 15,000 gallons a month would pay $2 per 1,000 gallons. Households using more than 20,000 gallons a month would pay $4 per 1,000 gallons.

The sanitation department has been operating at a net loss for six of the last 10 years, city officials said.

Citizens for Fair Utility Rates, a Norman group in support of the rate increases, is in support of the "pay as you throw" method.
hello there & you too