City moves closer to changing trash pickup

By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
The move for Hartselle to take over garbage and yard waste pickup appears to be in the bag.
Mayor Dwight Tankersley is proposing the city spend some $1.1 million to provide weekly pickup of garbage and yard waste. About 50 people attended a public hearing on the proposal at Tuesday night's City Council meeting.
Most who spoke were in favor of the proposal.
Former councilman Don Hall, who first proposed the automated trucks in 2000, said he was glad to see the city finally making the change.
Concerns about the plan included how some people would manage the large garbage containers and punishment of those who put items such as paint and car tires in with the household trash.
Under Tankersley's plan, the city would spend $480,000 for three automated trucks to provide weekly pickup of garbage and yard waste, such as grass clippings and leaves. Other expenses include $240,000 for 5,000 garbage containers; $192,000 for yard waste containers; $89,162 for a transfer station; $83,000 for a transfer trailer; and $50,000 for a truck.
The plan calls for residents to pay $9.50 a month, the same as the current charge.
Financing options aren't determined yet, but Tankersley said issuing bonds, bank financing or taking the money from the general fund. Under Tankersley's plan, revenues would outpace monthly expenses by some $740.
Hartselle currently provides intermittent yard waste pick-up using its large trucks. Those trucks will still be used for large yard waste pick-ups. Residents have complained that the service is irregular and that yard waste often sits for weeks. Garbage service is currently provided by the county.
While the city is considering taking over the service itself, officials with Waste Management have also expressed an interest in bidding on the services. Tankersley said he would consider the offer, but leans towards the city providing the service itself.
Tankersley is expected to present a proposal for the council's consideration at the June 28 meeting.
Whoever ends up providing the service, Tankersley said the ultimate goal is more efficient trash and waste pickup.
The goal is to provide "better service, a cleaner city and less damage to resident's yards," he said.