Roll Off asks for rate hike
Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/wrvn/News/4089/
ELKINS -- The cost of trash pickup could be rising in Elkins if Roll Off Service has its way.
Bob Mager with Roll Off went before the Water and Sewer Committee to request the use of a sliding scale method to determine the pick up cost for trash.
“ We’re at a point where we’re forced to come in, because fuel is a major cost, ” Mager told the committee. “ We’re experiencing, like everyone else, the major cost of fuel. Our parts cost more too. ”
Mager presented the committee with a chart of weekly retail on-highway diesel prices based upon the Energy Information Administration. He said Roll Off Service falls into the Gulf Coast category because of location. The average cost of diesel for the week of July 7, 2008, was 4. 697 on the chart.
“ We’re real skiddish on fuel and what it will cost in the future, ” Mager said. “ We hate to come in front of you. We’ve absorbed the cost for a period of time but we can’t absorb it any longer, so we’re asking for a surcharge. ”
According the proposed fuel surcharge for Elkins, the cost of a 32 gallon trash container would rise $ 1. 37 a month from $ 8 to $ 9. 37. A 64 gallon container would go from $ 12. 10 a month to $ 14. 17, with a 96 gallon container going from $ 16. 50 a month to $ 19. 33 a month. The larger the container, the greater the surcharge amount.
Committee members listened to Mager’s request but did not immediately agree to
“ We would like time to study it, ” chairman Mike Lemaster told Mager.
Member Fred Tober questioned Mager on paying Roll Off Service workers overtime. “ I’ve heard you’re keeping employees over but not paying overtime wages, ” Tober said.
Mager said he wasn’t aware of any problem in this area.
“ Well, I heard there was and I don’t think we need to do business with a company who doesn’t follow federal laws, ” Tober said.
Mager said he would check into it.
Other business covered by the committee:
• A discussion on the sales tax ballot for the Sept. 9 election on levying a 1-cent sales tax for water and sewer improvements in the city. “ We don’t want to raise rates, ” Tober said. “ This is the best way to get what needs to be done. ” City consultant Steve Davis said he would get numbers on what it would cost in a rate hike for citizens if the sales tax doesn’t pass. “ It could be a substantial increase, ” he said.
• David Turner, city superintendent, reported fixing a break in a line near Stokenbury Farms subdivision. He also gave the committee a report on the city’s manholes. “ The one on West First Street is the worst, ” Turner said. “ It needs to be replaced. ” He said the second worse was near the Hollybrooke subdivision.