PORTAGE | The City Council on Tuesday approved reducing the newly hiked trash user fee for qualifying disabled persons.

In September the council approved raising the monthly fee from $5 to $12, giving qualifying senior citizens a discount rate of $9 per month.

This week they extended the discounts to disabled residents.

To qualify, residents must apply at the city's Water Reclamation Department, 6071 Central Ave. and show proof that the applicant or spouse is the owner and lives in a single family home or duplex and is disabled. The applicant must show proof of disability through documentation from Social Security Insurance, Social Security Disability Insurance, Veterans Affairs or other agencies. Similar to those applying for a senior discount, discounts for disabled persons must be renewed annually.