The city of Rifle is considering whether or not to hire an independent trash contractor to take over trash services for city residents.
Currently, city residents have the choice of using an independent trash company or using the city’s for trash collection. According to City Manager John Hier, this topic has come up in the past and is a continuing discussion considering that the city is looking at continued budget cuts over the next couple of years.
Hier said that private companies have been interested in taking over the operations for several years. However, Rifle Mayor Keith Lambert was not quick to jump on the idea of outsourcing trash collection without more information.
“In order to change there has to be a benefit to the customers in the community,” Lambert said.
Hier said that the city now runs an efficient trash collection service with one employee and one truck.
“We have very few problems with this program,” Hier said.
The city keeps a second trash truck as a backup, in case of breakdowns so that service won’t be interrupted.
Despite the service’s efficiency, it no longer generates enough revenue to cover the costs of service. Fuel and landfill fees have increased costs over the past few years, according to Hier.
Keeping the program with the city adds other costs, such as purchase and maintenance of trash collection vehicles; the city replaces a trash truck every two to three years, according to Hier. The 2011 budget has funds stipulated for the purchase of a new trash truck at the cost of approximately $150,000.
Hier asked City Council if contracting with an independent contractor for service was something it would consider requesting proposals from private trash companies to get a clear picture of how much it would benefit or cost the city to keep or lose the service. Council members agreed that more information is needed before making any kind of decision.
“I think we need more information just to justify keeping it or not,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Jay Miller.
Mayor Lambert agreed with Miller, and the board requested that Hier gather more information and request proposals from trash companies to better determine potential costs savings or increases.
“If we are armed with more information, we can make a better decision.
Source:http://www.citizentelegram.com/article/20101028/MISC04/101029981/1002&parentprofile=1001
