dec Trash Talk pdf
by matthew on Thu Jul 16 11:21:03 CDT 2009
I couldn’t resist the title.
 Tuesday, 5:30pm at the library the City will hold a public hearing on proposed garbage collection fee increases.
Here’s a link to the official press release: http://www.ci.decatur.il.us/citynews/7-15-2009.html
I've been working late, so I might be a little late, but Debbie and I will try to make it. 

Presumably there will be a City Council meeting on Monday, too.
by matthew on Fri Jul 17 11:46:58 CDT 2009
I’ll say up front I don’t know a whole lot about residential trash service. I’ve got commercial service, a dumpster, and once-a-week pickup at 50-some-dollars-a-month. 
Even so, I’m inclined to be very skeptical about the proposed changes, and I’d like to see some serious data presented to the public and council before any decisions are made. 
 
Off the top of my head, I’d like to know:
            Total number in-use collection-trucks by company.
Total number of weekly collection-truck-miles traveled by company.
Total number of customers by company.
            Waste containment facility used by each company, and distance from service area.
            Cost of fuel at the time last rate change vs cost of fuel today
            Additionally, I would like the city to make the text/detail of the last rate agreement available for public inspection (I can’t remember if there were any automatic or market-based increases allowed in the old contract)
 
Without this minimal information, I would not even consider changing the collection or rate arrangement. The haulers are effectively asking the community to approve covering half the ground for even more money. 
It is the collectors responsibility to justify this action with hard data, and from my point of view, it’s going to be a tall order for them to fill.
 
Comments?
by Doug on Fri Jul 17 12:17:15 CDT 2009
I have never really paid much attention to the cost.   We only had 1 time a week pickup in the country so this 2 times a week is really nice.  I am curious as to how the inflated gas prices have cut into the profits.  We have had exceptional service from our haulers (don't even know who they are to be honest).  I saw the increase they are asking for and its just like the water fee hike it won't break me, so as long as my service stays the same and they can prove they are losing money  they probably deserve it. 
by matthew on Fri Jul 17 15:07:16 CDT 2009
And that’s why I want to see numbers. 
My problem is the combination of cutting the service/truck-miles/person-hours-per-week in half, and still upping the price is very hard to accept as reasonable.  
If service gets cut in half, then the variable overhead costs of the haulers should fall by a similar amount. I understand that people will still produce the same amount of trash, so instead of taking 60 seconds to empty the bin twice a week, it may take the hauler 70 seconds to empty two bins once a week.
Actually, that brings up an interesting point.  Assuming we will all produce about the same amount of trash per week, will the haulers provide twice as many trash receptacles at no additional charge to the customers?
If twice a week service is maintained, I could be persuaded a modest increase may be warranted. If once a week service is offered (halved from the customer’s point of view), I’d be expecting a 50% decrease, but as a realistic consumer, I might be able to accept a 40-45% decrease.
by Doug on Fri Jul 17 15:22:28 CDT 2009
I can agree with that Matt.  I really like the 2 times per week because sometimes mainly in the winter if I forget to get the trash down i don't get buried.  When we had once per week pickup and forgot then the next week was double the work for the driver.  If by chance they do go to once a week I want mine picked up at the house instead of me walking it down the drive.  Well Christy just told me we have Suburban and they are not asking for an increase according to the Herald.  I think if the gas prices have cut deep into their pockets they may get the increase.
by Sue on Sun Jul 19 18:41:20 CDT 2009
When I read the press release it looked to me like they are only asking to up the rates.   Where are you seeing that they want to cut the service to once a week?

Sue
by matthew on Mon Jul 20 12:19:57 CDT 2009
Once per week service is being test-driven right now, and I believe there is a tacit expectation that twice-a-week service be elimated altogether.

The chart shows current and proposed rates for once and twice weekly pickup.

by Doug on Mon Jul 20 13:42:10 CDT 2009
I found out we have the option with Suburban to pickup 1x or 2x's right now.  I can't see trying to save less than $4.00 per month for a single pickup, even though we don't generate enough trash on a normal week for 2 pickups.   I also don't understand how Suburban is under different rules with the City.  If the nothers waste haulers are more money whats to stop someone from switching to Suburban.  I would think if enough people wanted to switch they wopuld run a truck by.
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