Fairhope Councilman Proposes Big Garbage Fee Hike

Ford

SAYS $2-4/MO INCREASE NEEDED TO OFFSET COSTS AND FUND PAY RAISES

Fairhope Councilman Mike Ford said recently his committee (Garbage/Trash/Recycle) may recommend raising garbage fees by up to $4/mo. He said the increase was necessary to defray trash pick-up costs and provide cost of living raises to employees. (Fairhope citizens currently pay $12.80/mo)

SAYS REDUCING TO ONCE WEEKLY PICKUP WON'T HELP

Contradicting estimates made in past years by other committees, the Mayor and Officials at Public Work's, Ford claimed reducing garbage pick-up from twice to once weekly would save no money at all (earlier estimates projected $216 -$650,000 in savings per year. The city of Daphne estimated a $624K/yr. savings when they shifted to once-weekly last year - click.)

Strategic Comm.

In 2009 Fairhope's Strategic Planning Committee put the savings at $250,000/yr; and the Public Work's Director estimated $216,000 earlier that same year - click.

BALDWIN COUNTY JUST DECREASED RATES

According to media reports, the Baldwin County Commission recently announced it was reducing its garbage pick-up rates by $2/mo--to ease county citizens' costs for basic services during the difficult financial times (click).

[The Mayor and other Councilmembers failed to respond to e-mailed requests for opinions on Ford's proposal]