Rome garbage customers will see a smaller rate hike than originally expected when the new cart system kicks in Aug. 1.

“Bids came in about $3,000 less than expected, and we’re paying less to borrow the money than we thought,” City Manager John Bennett said during a meeting of the city’s public works committee Wednesday.

The Rome City Commission is slated to get the recommended low bid on the carts — $968,000 from Toter Inc. — and a proposed fee schedule at its Monday meeting.

Public Works Director Jamie McCord said 7,841 customers will see their monthly rate rise to $8.40 from $6.35 when their 35-gallon cans are replaced with 65-gallon carts.

“But we’ll also get a recycling cart and a new 65-gallon cart,” said Bennett, who will be among those affected by the change.

Lower rates are in store for the 2,385 customers paying $9.35 a month now for a 5-gallon can. The 356 customers with 95-gallon cans also will get a decrease, to $12.95 from $13.75 a month.

There will be no change for customers with 20-gallon cans, or for commercial customers other than the 100 or so who will move up from the 35-gallon to 65-gallon rate, McCord said.

The fee for 95-gallon yard waste carts will remain at $1.30 a month.

The switch to a system of carts that can be emptied via hydraulic lifts is expected to save time and money, lower the number of injuries to workers, increase recycling and ensure all customers are paying for the amount of trash they discard.

In other actions:

A request from First Baptist Church of Rome to install a sidewalk marker at East First Street and Fourth Avenue to commemorate its 175th anniversary also netted approval.

McCord said the re-paving of Broad Street downtown is scheduled to get under way June 1 and wrap up before the end of the month. Crews will work between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. to minimize disruptions.

Committee members said they expect to decide next month on a policy covering repairs to the old retaining walls that line many sidewalks in the South Broad Street corridor.

The 2006 special purpose, local option sales tax package contains $2 million for pedestrian improvements and bids are due May 20.

An engineering report indicates the crumbling walls could jeopardize the improvements but they are privately owned and SPLOST money can not be used to fix them.

The project encompasses South Broad Street, East Main Street and East 12th Street from Branham Avenue to Cedar Street.