In response to the city's projected budget shortfall (estimated to be between $300K-$700K)--at a recent work session, Councilman Rick Kingrea and Mike Ford debated proposed cutbacks in the Sanitation Department (& elsewhere) versus other alternatives such as raising water/sewer rates, fees.
As a possible cost saving measure, the Public Works Study Group has recommended the Council consider privatizing garbage/trash/recylcying pick-up --or at least shift to once a week pickup (estimated to save over $250K/year).
Ford downplayed economic problems (pointing to the new sales tax as a cushion, which he voted against) and defended the status quo, to preserve all current employee's jobs; but Kingrea said all options ought to be on the table: "We have a grave issue, not going to meet budget . . . Everybody needs to know where we are. My first obligation is not to employees . . its to the citizens. Fairhope is at risk."
Councilmember Quinn (A member of the P.W. Study Group) said a condition of privatization --if adopted--would be the new company would have to hire all current city sanitation workers (18 in all). Quinn added she thought that there had been no reduction in the workforce, despite changing to automatic collection trucks about 3 years ago (as was expected).[Note: According to media reports the City of Daphne recently changed to once weekly as well, predicting a savings of $650,000/yr.]
Audio Recording.