Solid waste discussion could rile residents
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Dana Fowler, director of public services — which encompasses solid waste and public works — was on hand during City Council’s Oct. 26 meeting to review the proposed solid waste budget for 2012.
According to Fowler, the proposed 2012 total for solid waste is $2,694,700, which includes personnel services including salaries, contractual services such as health insurance and Pay As You Throw expenses, as well as commodities like gas, oil and supplies.
Fowler noted that next year will be the first full year of operating under the Pay As You Throw program. The department underwent a transition period in early 2011, according to Fowler, as the program was phased in and services such as the transfer station were phased out.
“Based on PAYT bag sales, based on the number of bags sold so far, $480,000 in revenue is estimated for 2012,” Fowler told councilors.
In addition, he said recycling revenues have been good.
“Recycling revenue is up dramatically from 2011 for a couple of reasons. Market prices have been exceptionally good until the past couple of weeks. We tried to help reduce the tax burden by pushing (the estimated recycling revenue for 2012) as high was we dared,” said Fowler.
Fowler indicated that some costs have gone up as a result of PAYT. According to department records, $405,800 was set as the 2011 PAYT portion of the budget but the estimated expenditure through the end of the year is $702,605.
“Costs have gone up considerably from 2011-12; for 2012, assuming PAYT continues — it will be a full year rather than the 10 months 2011 is based on — costs for PAYT are for haulers/collectors and the orange bags,” said Fowler. “For 2012, PAYT costs are estimated at $850,868.”
Fowler noted while the new program has resulted in increased recycling, it has also driven up the cost to the city for the blue bags.
“PAYT has caused a tremendous increase in the use of blue bags and therefore purchases of the blue bags by the city,” Fowler said.
City Manager Jim Bennett spoke next, providing councilors with some suggestions on cost-cutting measures with regard to the solid waste budget.
Bennett explained the recycle bags have cost the city $40,000 since the new trash program was implemented earlier this year. Bennett reviewed several options with councilors on ways to lower the city’s solid waste costs.
Among his suggestions was to limit curbside pickup.
“Taking curbside out, leaving each community to manage and determine a way to pay for it” was one option, according to Bennett, who noted other communities would still be in debt for their portion of the cost of the landfill, but they could opt out of PAYT if that’s what they decided to do.
Eliminating the blue recycling bags would save the city $40,000, according to Bennett.
“What we’re recommending this year is to allow people to recycle and allow them to use clear plastic bags. Everyone can buy clear plastic bags to put recyclables in. That takes another $40,000 out of the budget,” said Bennett.
Bennett also suggested the possibility of finding an outside operator for the recycling center.
“If we put the facility out to lease, perhaps find someone to privatize — we’re asking for permission to start that process. With labor and benefit costs, if it was privatized, they’d take over expenses and liabilities,” said Bennett, adding, “We have someone already who’s handling some recycled material. Perhaps they’d be interested.”
The city manager also indicated that figures derived last year for what each community using the landfill should be responsible to pay are actually off a bit. Bennett told councilors that Presque Isle’s responsibility for 2011 was set at about 80 percent but that the latest estimate, based on garbage tonnage collected so far this year, actually shows the number should be closer to 60 percent. The responsibility for the remaining 40 percent would therefore be divided among the surrounding communities who also use the landfill.
Bennett said implementing these options would save Presque Isle thousands.
“With PAYT, if we stay with it, if we get rid of the blue bags and privatize the recycling center, it brings that portion of the budget to $442,283,” said Bennett.
Councilor Mel Hovey said the people he’s talked with indicated to him that they’d be willing to pay a bit more for the orange bags.
“A lot of them found they’re saving a lot of money over what they were paying before for a hauler to pick up garbage. How much trouble would the Council be in to raise the price of the orange bags?” asked Hovey.
Bennett said that was something officials could “take a look at.”
Councilor Don Gardner expressed concern over increase bag prices.
“The regular working guy can’t afford to do that. I use one large bag a week, some families use two or three. Doubling the price will kill them,” said Gardner.
Council will continue to discuss budget issues in the weeks ahead. For more information, contact 760-2785.
