Trash rates could go up
Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/decatur/News/2720/
DECATUR ó The rising cost of fuel could cause Decatur residents to pay more for their trash service.
The average price of diesel has increased 40 percent from $ 3. 32 in January ó when the city of Decatur renewed itís contract with Roll Off Services ó to $ 4. 65 in June. Roll Off Services cited this increase in a letter to Mayor Bill Montgomery, requesting the city add a ìfuel emergencyî addendum to their current contract.
The addendum would allow Roll Off Services to charge the city a fuel surcharge of. 0087 percent for every $ 0. 10 increase in the price of fuel above $ 3. 32. With the average price of diesel at $ 4. 65 a gallon, that would add up to a $ 0. 98 fuel surcharge per resident every month.
Montgomery and city attorney Tom Smith agreed the city should work with Roll Off Services on this issue to make sure the company can continue to meet the contract, but they also voiced several concerns.
The contract with the trash collection service will be renewed in January, and any increase in rates would usually be negotiated at that time. Raising rates now could open the door to an even greater increase in January.
The cityís cost for trash service went up in 2003, but the customer rate was not increased. This time, the fuel surcharge will have to be passed on to the customer, Montgomery said.
The way the addendum is currently worded, residents could be subject to a monthly increase in trash rates as the price of fuel continues to go up.
ì I donít want to give them a blank check on the fuel surcharge, î councilman Charles Linham said.
Several options were discussed, including raising the customers trash rate by one dollar or adding a one-time fuel surcharge of $ 0. 98.
After much discussion, the issue was tabled until Montgomery can talk to Roll Off Services president, Tom Smith.
In other business, Academy Industries of Ozark Adventist Academy in Gentry proposed a free recycle program for the city.
Academy Industries would drop off recycle containers at city hall, the swimming pool and businesses around town and pick up the items to be recycled once a week or more at no cost to the city.
They industry employs students to sort the materials as part of a work study program. It recycles cardboard, newspapers, magazines and paper, plastics, plastic bottles, bags, aluminum and tin cans and scrap metal.
The issue was also tabled until the city gets permission for the program from Roll Off Services. The company has an exclusive contract to pick up trash within the city limits. Roll Off moved to start a curbside recycling program in Decatur last spring, but the plan was abandoned after only eight residents signed up for the service.
The Academy Industries program would be a good deal for Roll Off Services, city attorney Tom Smith pointed out, because they would still get paid the same amount to pick up less trash.