After months of debate and protests, Niagara Falls City Council has passed a garbage user fee.

It will cost residents approximately $218 per year, which is about $4.20 a week. It passed by a vote of three to two.

Lawmakers in favor say it will help fill the city's more than $4 million budget gap.

Some city residents, however, were very vocal on their displeasure.

“They just drop the bins off on our property without asking us if we want them and this change of service. Now we have to be responsible for the bins plus gotta pay a user fee. What if someone steals the bins?” said Christopher Frank, 61-year Niagara Falls resident.

If the garbage service fee did not pass, the other options would've been a large property tax increase or 60-70 layoffs in police, fire, and public safety — which is why the leaders of Local 714 Niagara Falls Firefighters are thanking councilmembers for saving emergency personnel jobs.

“The City unfortunately has tried this years ago and the result of that was devastating for the members who were left, injuries went through the roof. It wasn't a cost savings, it cost the city more,” said Mike Sillett, president of Local 714 Niagara Falls Firefighters. "But when they need us now we are there. If they made these cuts, that would not have been the case."

If the fee wasn't passed, there was also a possibility that garbage pickup would be trimmed back as well.