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Garden City garbage collection rates for multi-family residential units will increase more than $3 per month in each of the next two years if the city commission approves an ordinance during Tuesday's regular meeting.

Currently, monthly trash collection fees are $12.80 for multi-family, $19.25 for single-family and $12 for commercial. In 2013, the multi-family monthly rate would rise to $16, and in 2014 it would increase to $19.25.

The rate increase will bring multi-family rates to the same level as current rates for single-family residences, and that will help keep across the board increases scheduled for 2015 lower, according to Sam Curran, public works director.

In 2015, single-family and multi-family rates will rise to $22 per month, and commercial to $15.25. Each year from 2016 through 2023 rates would rise by 50 cents annually for each category.

"In 2015 we still have to do $2.75 multi-family and residential and $3.25 for commercial," Curran said. "What that does is stabilize our reserve. At that point, the governing body instructed us to look at an annual increase versus waiting five or six years and doing a big increase. What we proposed was 50 cents starting in 2016 and that will carry us all through 2023."

Revenue from rates pays for solid waste collection, recycling, and household hazardous waste. Curran added that Garden City is the only community in the area that picks up trash twice a week instead of once per week.

Other items on the agenda include the city manager's report; a proclamation declaring Nov. 20, 2012, James Mireles Day; an appropriation ordinance; a review of municipal power supply options; an authorization for design engineering services on the snow removal equipment building, runway guard lights and hold position sign at the airport.

The Garden City Commission will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the City Administrative Center, 301 N. Eighth St.