The Ashland City Council will consider whether to approve an average 11.2 percent garbage rate increase during a Tuesday meeting that begins at 7 p.m. in the Ashland Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main St.

Residential, commercial can, debris box, compactor and medical garbage rates would go up by 7.5 percent, while commercial bin customers who produce a high volume of trash would see a 20 percent increase.

Recology Ashland Sanitary Service offers deep discounts to businesses that produce a lot of garbage, but council members have indicated they want those discounts to be phased out.

The 7.5 percent and 20 percent rate increases on different customers together create an average 11.2 percent rate increase for Recology, according to a city staff memo to the council.

That amount would allow the money-losing company to break even, Recology officials said.

Recology officials had asked for an average 23.3 percent rate increase so that the company could have a 10 percent profit margin, but council members balked at that proposal.

If the new 7.5 percent and 20 percent rate increases are approved, they would go into effect in 2012 and continue for a year while city and Recology officials discuss the company's garbage rates and services.

Recology has a franchise agreement with the city of Ashland to provide garbage and recycling services in town. The City Council must approve rate increases, according to the agreement.

In other business on Tuesday night, the council will consider whether to approve an agreement with ECOtality North America to install two electric vehicle charging units at a city-owned parking lot on the corner of Lithia Way and Pioneer Street, and two units in the Hargadine Street parking garage.

The cost to the city of Ashland will be less than $2,000, according to city staff.

For a complete list of agenda items and for details on each item, visit www.ashland.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=14513.

Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-479-8199 or vlaldous@yahoo.com.