July 22, 2022 |
In Rawlins, no drama or surprise in Tuesday night’s 6-1 vote to increase the monthly recycling fee from $3.00 to $6.00 on third and final reading.
Councilman Chris Weisenberg was the lone dissenting vote at the first two readings, as well. Like the water, landfill, and sewer rates, residents pay a base rate for recycling. The $3.00 increase will show up on everyone’s bill, whether you recycle or not.
Since first reading on June 21, city officials have said the higher fee is necessary to help offset an anticipated $88,000 deficit to operate the recycling center. This is the first time the fee has been raised. Prior to Tuesday’s final vote on the matter, Weisenberg acknowledged the reason for the hike, but said residents will pay more for less.
Councilman Debari Martinez addressed Weisenberg’s concern.
Some Rawlins residents were abusing the recycling containers that were located around town for convenience of those who recycle cardboard, plastics, aluminum cans, paper products, milk jugs and steel cans. Between January and April of this year, the recycling staff shoveled through 12 tons of basic,wet household trash that had been thrown into the recycling bins. The effort cost the small staff valuable time, hurt productivity and increased costs. Recycling Superintendent Pat Martinez decided to move all the roll-off containers to the fenced-in lot adjacent to the Daley Street facility where they are under 24-hour surveillance.
The recycling superintendent, who attended Tuesday’s council meeting, was asked how the new, secure location is working.
Martinez said the increased productivity at the recycling plant was a direct result of moving the bins to a secure location and deterring abuse. Councilman Darril Garner of Ward 2 asked if other secure locations could be used rather than just the one at the recycling facility.
Martinez added that as long as people feel their being watched, they’ll do the right thing. Mark it up to human nature. The incentive to abuse the recycling bins is saving money on paying a trash collection service or hauling your household waste to the transfer station yourself.
With the fee hike approved, the $3.00 fee hike will raise $150,000 in additional revenue for the recycling center annually. The money will go into an enterprise account to operate the facility, not the general fund.
Mira Miller at City Hall tells Bigfoot 99 that residents will see the increase for the first time on the bill that goes out at the end of August. The rate for July bill going out next week will still be $3.00.
Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.
