Mayor raises a stink about garbage fees
The fee for the City of Washington’s garbage removal service is once again creating a stink at City Hall.
City Council voted unanimously Thursday to award a bid to the current service provider, Waste Management, for the collection of solid waste for 2016 through 2018, at a yearly cost of $2,136,087, or $155.16 per household.
The city, however, charges its residents $243 per year for the service.
“I’m sure you can all do the math,” Mayor Brenda Davis said during council’s regular meeting.
Davis has long contended the city is overcharging its residents for the service.
In 2013, council increased trash pickup from $175 to $243 per year after Waste Management raised its bid by $140,000.
In March, council took action to transfer surplus solid waste funds into the general fund and fund reserve. Davis questioned why a surplus from the budget’s solid waste fund was being transferred to pay for other administrative services and said the city is overcharging for garbage collection. Since the fee increase, several residents also complained about the cost and repeatedly asked council to reduce the charges.
Councilman Joe Manning, head of the finance department, said the solid waste fund helps pay for administrative services associated with garbage collection.
In December, council will take action on the recycling collection bid.
In other business, council accepted the resignation of police Officer Daniel Grossman, who accepted a position as a city fireman.
An agenda meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 7, and the next regular meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Dec. 10.