The Centerville City Council will be holding a public hearing during its March 17 meeting to receive feedback on what may be the final version of an opt-out recycling program for the city. Though some details of the program won’t be revealed until the public hearing, the program will cost approximately $3.00 per can and be through ACE Disposal.
“The city council may decide to seek further bids, and if that happened revealing all the details of ACE’s proposal in advance would hurt their chances,” said Centerville City Manager Steve Thacker. A flier outlining some general aspects of the program and reminding people about the public hearing will be sent to all Centerville City postal customers.
The city has been talking to ACE about an opt-out recycling program since last fall, and despite the recession the company has agreed to keep to the cost estimates they presented to Centerville in late 2008. That approximate $3 cost would hold if every resident in the city chose to remain in the program, since all residents will be automatically enrolled until they take the steps necessary to opt out.
Since it is possible to withdraw from the program, however, the final cost of the can will be determined by the number of people who choose to stay. Up to 80 residents can leave without the price changing, but after that the cost will jump by approximately one penny for every 10 people that choose to opt out.
The city is also considering providing a small offset to that cost, using money pulled from reserves in the city budget. Early suggestions have placed the offset at approximately 50 cents, which would cost the city $22,650 a year.
For residents, Thacker said that the actual cost impact may be even less than the numbers suggest, since some households may be able to get rid of their second garbage can after curbside recycling is implemented. Currently, it costs approximately $7 to have a second garbage can in Centerville.
jwardell@davisclipper.com
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