Residents spoke out last week at a public forum held regarding Platte City’s trash services, and it was just what the city needed, according to the city administrator.
A public meeting was held Tuesday, Sept. 30 at city hall, with about 10 people in attendance. Half of them spoke to the members of the board of aldermen and city staff present.
“The feedback from the speakers and the board of aldermen was that we need to seriously consider contracting with a private company to provide trash service,” said City Administrator Bryan Richison. “To that end, I have drafted a resolution that directs me to prepare a request for proposals to contract for trash service.”
The resolution was scheduled for discussion by the public works subcommittee and will likely come to the board of aldermen at the Oct. 28 meeting.
At the Tuesday meeting, Richison provided an overview of the city’s trash service now and its options. Currently, the city picks up trash and recycling once a week at a cost of $22 per month, billed with water and sewer services.
The fee is on par with other cities in the Kansas City metro area, where Liberty residents are charged $24 per month and Kearney residents are charged $19 per month.
In the most recent survey of user satisfaction, residents rate the overall quality of the Platte City trash service a 4.39 out of 5 (93 responses). They rate the overall quality of the recycling service a 3.74 out of 5 (92 responses).
The trash truck is schedule to be replaced this year, with the recycling truck scheduled for replacement in three years.
“Given the problems we have recently had with the recycling truck, it is questionable if it will actually last that long,” Richison said.
The recycling truck was repaired last week, and a test run conducted on Friday, Oct. 3. Recycling services resumed this week.
If the city decides to contract for solid waste services, about $181,000 in personnel costs and $37,000 in operating costs would need to be absorbed in the general, water and wastewater budgets.
There are three personnel positions handling solid waste, with one position currently vacant. That position could be eliminated, but the other two workers could be transferred to public works. A part-time position in public works could also be eliminated.
The city is considering charging a $3 administrative fee per month in addition to the contracted trash rate to help offset costs.