West Memphis needs to raise debris collection rates

West Memphis needs to raise debris collection rates

City losing money on special pick- ups

news@theeveningtimes.com

The Public Works Commission compared city trash pick-up rates to FEMA rates during the May meeting. City administrators used the federal disaster recovery reimbursement rate chart as a benchmark for considering a rate increase to haul off huge loads of tree limbs.

“We need to charge at least enough to cover our expenses,” said Public Works Administrative Assistant Rhonda Standridge. “We would like change the special pick-up rates especially for tree limbs over half a load. The current rates are older than 2008. This is how FEMA reimburses us when we’ve done above and beyond. “

The actual current city cost for labor, equipment, and landfill fees is $213 for a truck load. But the going city rate charged to residential customers is $138.75.

Landfill fees alone amount to $108.00 for a full four ton truck load. Labor and equipment expense to another $105. The FEMA rate pays $215 per load.

City council members considered the merits of a rate increase.

The rate applies to special loads only which start at half a truck load or more of tree limbs. Special load rules will be part of a new emphasis. Landlord cleanouts and construction debris are not picked up by the city. Tree trimmers, contractors, and property manager need to make private arrangement for a roll off bin or hauling service.

The residential claw trucks seem to attract commercial abusers and the increase to the FEMA rate schedule presented seemed too slim a margin according to Councilman James Pulliaum.

“We set the tone for this, getting into the business of picking up debris,” said Councilman James Pulliaum. “You should have a roll-off when you are cleaning houses. Our trucks are not cheap. If we decide to do this, we probably need to decide on coming up with more than we are looking at this time. Special pick-ups take us off the pick-ups on the normal route – the stuff we have to be doing – and that should be considered also.”

As a reminder tree limbs must be cut to five foot lengths with a maximum 24 inch girth to conform to landfill specifications. When hiring a tree trimmer use a licensed service with a city permit to remove the tree and make sure the price includes hauling of the debris. Too many residents are hiring Saturday morning door knockers with a chain saw that leave a pile hoping the city will haul it off. City hall is not open on the weekend to issue a permit.

The claw trucks have limits according Sanitation Superintendent Ricky Turner.

“We really don’t need to be in the tree picking up business,” said Turner.

“Our equipment isn’t made for logging. A lot of the trees cut down and left for us are humongous. It is tearing up the equipment trying to pick big logs up.” The new rate calculation used an hour time to calculate

the rate.

“A lot of times we are spending more than an hour just picking up the load,” said Turner. “By the time we haul it off it takes a couple of hours and we cannot

recoup the time.”

By John Rech