Three aldermen Tuesday indicated they’re willing to discuss Starkville sanitation changes that could generate additional revenues as the department continues to suffer through equipment shortage and repair issues.
Talks on sanitation finances are expected to continue next month after an internal city audit is presented to aldermen. Additionally, Ward 5 Alderman Scott Maynard said a consultant will appear before aldermen and discuss a new system for residential garbage bag distributions.
The city’s failing commercial fleet, comprised of three trucks, forced aldermen to enter into an emergency rental contract last month after two units were taken off the streets for repairs. Aldermen extended that contract Tuesday through the end of the month at a cost of $3,600.
Sanitation department equipment woes have become a recurring talking point at the board table this year. Mayor Parker Wiseman previously said the city’s inability to find sustainable revenue for equipment upkeep and replacement is a threat to the department’s basic operations and services.
In their first year in office, aldermen raised residential rates from $13 to $14.50 per month. The board attempted to increase the fee to $16 per month in February, but that attempt, backed by Ward 3 Alderman David Little, Ward 4 Alderman Jason Walker and Maynard, failed in a 4-3 vote.
But yesterday, Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver, who opposed the last sanitation hike, said officials should prepare themselves for discussions on a possible rate increase and other cost-saving studies.
“I don’t think the situation is going to solve itself,” he said.
Carver asked Gandy if she was prepared to discuss the issue there at the table, but Maynard deferred discussions until next month when the internal audit is due.
Maynard also signaled future discussions on a voucher program that could cut down costs associated with the city’s free garbage bag distributions, which costs Starkville at least $150,000 annually.
Instead of delivering bags directly to residents’ doorsteps, Maynard said they would be left with local retailers. Residents would receive two vouchers per year in their electric bills and would turn those in for a six-month supply, he said.
Starkville would realize savings from cutting door-to-door deliveries and by potentially reducing how many bags it purchases, he said.
“The company I’ve spoken with contracts with local retailers, so think places like the (Oktibbeha County) Co-op, Wal-Mart, CVS Pharmacy — places where people normally go to do their day-to-day shopping,” Maynard said. “What they’ve found is only a certain percentage of residents pick up bags in that program, so I think we’ll capture savings there.”
Maynard also stumped for more frequent recycling collections after a resident, Charlotte Fuquay, told aldermen it was time the city moved to a once-a-week schedule.
Starkville provides twice-a-week residential garbage collection, a recycling pick up about twice a month and once-a-week rubbish services. Taylor Adams, the city’s CAO and financial director, previously estimated the city spends about $1.9 million on residential, commercial and recycling collections. He previously estimated recycling makes up about $80,000-$90,000 of that line item.
Maynard said he did not believe the board would support reducing garbage collections to one time each week but once-a-week recycling collections could find traction.
“I think the city would see an increase in participation, and we could also save landfill space,” he said. “We’re still going to find ways to generate additional revenues through our recycling program or our regular collections.”
While Maynard stopped short of predicting a possible rate increase amount, Walker said he was open to hearing all options creating new revenue creation and shaving operating costs.
“Clearly, there are some things we need to take a look at,” Walker said. “I’m all for looking at our options. There are a lot of moving parts in terms of our sanitation department, and we need to piece those together with what outside consultants bring to table.”
A chart Maynard used to compare Starkville’s services and rates to others in February showed the city’s monthly rate was $3.21 cheaper than the average rate of seven cities — Columbus, West Point, Louisville, Holly Springs and Laurel — even though some of those cities offer fewer services and less-frequent collections.
“We’re giving away the house, so to speak,” he said in that meeting. “We’re giving away bags and picking up their rubbish, which a lot of those cities don’t do, and we’re doing it cheaper than anybody. I think we need to get a little more competitive with the rates.”
The failed rate increase would have generated an estimated $70,000-$100,000 per year. That money could have been put toward equipment issues and assisted Gandy’s department with garbage bag purchases.
Since the city made a nine-month purchase for bags at about $140,000, Wiseman previously reminded aldermen additional revenues must be found to extend the program to a full year.
Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins led the charge against Maynard’s motion to increase rates in February, noting the group’s previous $1.50 increase and saying the board’s actions continue to burden residents with “tax-and-spend” measures.
To provide funding, Perkins suggested cutting the sanitation budget. He targeted the city’s recycling program in February, saying “that’s what’s pushing the budget.”
Carl Smith covers Starkville and Oktibbeha County for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter @StarkDispatch
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