Here is an update on decisions the City Council has made regarding the trash service. The Council met in Study Session on June 9, where we directed Mari and city staff to do the following:
- Retain current contract until its termination date – March 31, 2010
- Implement the fee increase that was part of the original contract – $6.50. The City did not implement the agreed upon increase of $6.50 back in April 2005 because it was not written into ordinance. At last night’s council meeting, we changed the ordinance to accurately reflect the current contract. The rate for trash service has been $6.00 since 2002.
- Veolia had requested that the Council consider allowing Veolia to add a fuel surcharge onto the accounts. We have not agreed to this, but we understand that the cost of fuel is skyrocketing and have directed Mari to meet with Veolia to discuss this.
- Under our current agreement with Veolia, the City takes care of the billing to keep it convenient for citizens, and we pay Veolia their full amount – regardless of delinquencies in accounts. This means that the city (you, the taxpayers) has been absorbing the costs of delinquencies. We directed Mari to discuss this with Veolia as well
The City will be taking bids for trash service in the fall of 2009 to allow for the service to begin on April 1, 2010. Since the City does not provide the trash service we have limited control over the costs. We have been listening to citizen concerns and are mindful of both your service needs and the financial impact the services have on your pocketbook. We will negotiate the best deal that we can.
After our public meeting in April, city staff made contact with other trash haulers. One told us they were not interested in providing the service. Two other companies gave us estimates – both of which had fees in excess of $10 per month for less service.
Specific details, including the estimates we received from the two other companies, are available in the study packet posted here: Study-Session-Packet-6-9-08
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I know this really doesn’t pertain to the city costs for trash but if you think you are paying a lot, let me tell you how much I pay living outside of city limits. I can put out two 30 gallon trash bags per week, and it costs me $67.00 every three months, approx. $33 per month. I don’t think that I put out anymore trash than the folks who live in the city limits but because I live in the county I already have to pay for the fuel taxes and etc…
I would definitely agree on trying to find other trash companies that would come to all areas in Kirksville, city and county. I would like to be able to have a choice and hopefully have something a little less expensive.
Thanks for listening.