(15) What’s your opinion on changing the city’s garbage collection and recycling?
Alston: It is time that we go to curbside garbage collection. We need to examine the frequency with which we collect garbage. This is not going to be an easy transition, but again I believe it has become necessary. Recycling is a slightly different situation; as a result of the more direct pass through on the costs, it has less of a true financial burden/benefit to the city. However, the rate at which we recycle indicates that our plan is inefficient. We need to come up with a more efficient and/or effective method of managing the recycling effort. This unfortunately may mean that the city cease to officially participate in the effort and simply allow those who recycle to take their recyclables to designated locations. Another possible solution is that the city take recycling in house.
Gupton: I feel the use of curbside garbage pick up is inevitable. However we cannot proceed until we fully address the needs of our senior citizens and others unable to carry the bins to the curb. Recycling is far too important to be discontinued.
Harper: My opinion is based on citizen input. Most that I have talked to don’t want to lose their benefit of back-door pickup, and I have not heard anyone complain about the cost. However, they also want to keep recycling. If the city must look at curbside pickup to save the recycling program, I think it should be looked at very carefully to be sure it will save the city and the citizens money. Then the benefits and costs should be thoroughly communicated to our customers. One communication method would be to take a poll on HomeinHenderson.com and in the newspaper to determine customer preferences.
Daeke: Per James Morgan, once-a-week curbside garbage pickup and once-a-week curbside recycling.
Yount: First, we should keep recycling and do it weekly if feasible while encouraging higher participation through education. Next, I propose we need to test an area of the city to see how well the rollout system works and troubleshoot all the problems and work out any kinks before we consider going citywide. Third, I want to reassure our seniors and handicapped citizens that their garbage service will not be impacted. Fourth, we need to plan how we are going to pay for the $450,000 in estimated costs for rollouts. Fifth, we need to investigate how much the city would save if we privatized the entire system on a contracted bid basis. The idea of changing garbage collection was sprung on the council with very little planning. My proposal will get all the questions answered, and with these answers the council can make the best decision for the citizens, get their buy-in, save money, and please everyone.
Wester: The overwhelming majority of the people I have spoken with about these issues tell me they like backdoor pickup and are willing to pay the fee charged. If they have their service reduced, they expect to see a decrease in cost. The low percentage of those recycling clearly indicates that a majority of our citizens do not place a high value on recycling. I personally do not have strong opinions on this issue and trust that the council can find a way to get all the arguments on the table to provide the most acceptable level of service at the best cost.