Privatizing Grass Mowing Costs "Much Less Than the City Can Provide the Service"

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CITY COUNCIL MUST DECIDE

Having Jubilee Landscaping take over some right of way mowing could save the city up to $200,000 next year, according to City Administrator Mims. Their bid was was called "much lower than the city can provide the service." Option #2 was recommended (at right).

Councilmember Quinn said she thought it should be tried for a year--and that she had talked to the Mayor and he's "on board" with it. (Mayor Kant on savings click).

Due to normal attrition and transfers, no jobs would be lost according to city staff.

General Superintendent James Gillespie: "If we don't do this . . . have to hire 4 more employees . . ."

Assistant Public Works Director Bosarge: "37% of our time is spent on road mowing."


SOME OPPOSITION

Former Mayor Nix (video), Councilman Ford and 3 citizens present (Nix's daughter, next door neighbor and a Yacht Club Member/Stock Broker) argued for maintaining the status quo no matter the cost, contending that saving money shouldn't be the city's main objective here. Nix: "Our employees ought to be the number one consideration . . .  even if if costs us more."


COUNCIL PRESIDENT WORRIED ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE

Councilman Mixon responded later that in the face of declining property tax revenue, saving money wasn't his primary objective: "Actually, divert the use of money might be a better term. After building a reserve in the general fund to $8,000.000 for emergencies we should be working on: Street paving (not pot hole filling); Reducing the long term debt; Replacing old gas lines ( which are on the border of being dangerous) throughout the city, especially in the fruit and nut district. Our Sewer system is outdated and will require a few million to upgrade. There are updates to be made in the electrical area such as replacing posts, old transformers etc.

We are in the process of hiring an engineering firm to do a long term study of the city’s needs in these areas. I think that we must be pro-active in this area rather than waiting for things to break and then do a band-aid fix. A city, like a house or automobile is only as good as the structural foundation."


He also described it as his" fiduciary responsibility" to operate the city as economically and efficiently as possible.

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CITY'S WORKFORCE ROSE 84% IN LAST DECADE

Records show the city's total workforce rose from 153 in 2000 to 281 last year (2009); and the number in the public works department rose from 19 to 37 in the same time period-- (sanitation workers from 11 to 21).





PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

Jennifer Fidler released a statement later: "I was asked to run the numbers on how much it costs to perform grass mowing services for the city.  I was asked to present those in different options.  That is what I presented.   

My hat is off to our public works employees. They have come to work day in and day out to perform the excellent services throughout a tumultuous year." 

Administrator Mims:



A citizen(Thomas Lott)  spoke against the proposal:





OTHER COST SAVING MEASURES STILL BEING CONSIDERED


1. The long-talked-about proposal to reduce garbage pick-up from twice to once weekly (which could save residents between $200-$500,000 a year according to various estimates)--is also back on the table; but being met with the same resistance from those opposed to potentially reducing the city's workforce. (click here for video)

Back in July of  2009, Councilman Ford said all the figures were ready (Trash/Garbage Committee), but his committee hadn't had time yet to complete its study (click).

 Earlier this year, Councilman Stankoski expressed frustration at the lack of progress by Ford's committee (click).

2. A proposal to have a private contractor collect all garbage is still being considered as well; savings for residents were estimated to be up to $1 million last Summer (click).

3. Re-opening of the city's landfill (savings of $100,000/yr.) is also to be considered by the same committee. City Officials now say they were mistaken when they reported the debris pile height had reached its maximum allowed height last February (click). The landfill could be used another 3 to 5 years, they now say. (Staff said an engineering study was never done concerning the closing last February.)

Council member Quinn said nearby residents were promised the land fill would be closed; and they should be talked to again before any final decision is made.

Council member Ford commented on drug related activity in the area and said: "Its not going to hurt those people down there."