New Orleans Residents Decry Trash Fee Hike After Hurricane Ida

Locals argue the city has not maintained trash collection services despite rising costs.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 5:34pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph of a neighborhood street with blurred streetlights and the faint outlines of trash cans, conveying a sense of urban neglect and the impact of municipal service changes on the community.Residents' concerns over rising trash collection fees in New Orleans highlight the need for greater transparency from local officials.New Orleans Today

A New Orleans resident has criticized City Council President Helena Moreno for claiming that garbage collection fees have remained constant since 2011, arguing that the previous mayor effectively doubled the fees after Hurricane Ida in 2021 by reducing weekly pickups from two days to one.

Why it matters

The dispute over trash collection fees highlights the ongoing challenges New Orleans faces in maintaining essential municipal services in the aftermath of major storms like Hurricane Ida, which caused widespread damage and disruption across the region.

The details

In a letter to the editor, local resident Jim Dragoset argued that the previous mayor increased garbage collection fees by cutting weekly pickups from two days to one after Hurricane Ida in 2021, despite claims from City Council President Helena Moreno that fees have remained constant since 2011.

  • Hurricane Ida struck New Orleans in August 2021.
  • The previous mayor reduced weekly trash pickups from two days to one after Hurricane Ida.

The players

Helena Moreno

The current City Council President of New Orleans.

Jim Dragoset

A New Orleans resident who wrote a letter to the editor criticizing the city's handling of trash collection fees.

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What they’re saying

“Helena Moreno should not say garbage collection fees have been constant since 2011.”

— Jim Dragoset, New Orleans Resident

What’s next

The city is expected to review its trash collection policies and fees in the coming months as it continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida.

The takeaway

This dispute over trash collection fees highlights the ongoing challenges New Orleans faces in maintaining essential municipal services following major natural disasters, and the need for transparent and accountable governance to ensure residents receive the services they pay for.