During an extraordinary session, the Metropolitan Council of Quito decided to establish a committee tasked with creating a mechanism to sign an inter-institutional agreement with the city’s Electric Company. This decision comes after council members raised concerns about ongoing grievances from residents regarding high charges for trash collection fees, which were moved to the water bill starting in February 2025. The committee will be led by councillors Diego Garrido, Fernanda Racines, Wilson Merino, and Michael Aulestia.

The controversy surrounding the trash collection fees intensified after the council noted significant discontent among residents in over 50 neighborhoods, who reported increased costs associated with this service. Prior to the change in billing, trash collection fees were part of the electric bill but were suspended by the National Government due to disputes with more than ten municipalities. This has left many residents confused and frustrated with the billing procedures.

Moreover, the initiatives taken by the council may also be influenced by the recent declaration of an emergency in eight provinces of Ecuador, which has further strained municipal resources. As councillors work towards establishing a feasible solution for trash collection fees, it highlights the ongoing challenges that local governments face in managing essential services while ensuring equitable charges for residents.