Lowell Trash Rate Hike Expected

— The cost of trash removal is expected to increase after aldermen change the way solid waste is handled in the city.

“The council asked me last year to put together some prices from solid waste removal companies,” said Shawn Ingram, city municipal service director. “We are going to change over to an automated pickup service with carts instead of just garbage bags.”

Ingram contacted Deffenbaugh Industries, Waste Management and Inland Service with an outline of requested services and a rate schedule.

Meeting Information

Lowell City Council

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Council Chambers, City Administration Building, 216 N. Lincoln St.

On the agenda:

• Rezoning 116 N. Lincoln St. from residential and light-industrial to commercial.

• Approving the $193,500 purchase of software for the Lowell Police Department. The city plans to borrow the money from Regions Bank for five years at 2.44 percent interest.

• Amending the code of ordinances to require the use of spray paint to mark the corners in certain building projects.

• Amending the code of ordinances to allow the Lowell District Court judge the flexibility to more effectively and fairly apply penalties for violations.

• Appropriating $5,000 to begin construction on a stage at Ward Nail Park. City officials set aside $45,000 for the stage construction in the 2013 budget.

Source: Staff Report

Inland Service, which picks up trash in Rogers, did not submit a proposal, Ingram said.

“We are asking for a 96-gallon poly cart for trash and a 65-gallon poly cart for recycling. We also asked for a bulk and leaf pickup program,” Ingram said.

Residents currently provide their own cart if they choose or use trash bags. Deffenbaugh provides a small bin for recycling. The service cost is $26.74 per quarter. Deffenbaugh bills customers on a quarterly basis, city officials said.

Lowell does not receive any revenue from the trash service, said Jerry Hudlow, chief financial officer for the city.

Waste Management submitted a proposal to provide carts, and yard and bulky waste removal for $12.25 per month, according to city documents.

Bulky waste would be picked up twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, according to the documents.

The Deffenbaugh proposal includes providing the carts as well as bulky pickup once a month and yard waste pickup during the year. The cost of the Deffenbaugh proposal is $9.25 per month.

Ingram said Friday he wasn’t sure how many residents are aware officials are considering a rate increase and automated pickup service.

“We’ve talked about this in council meetings for several months and put a notice in our quarterly newsletter to residents,” Ingram said.

Deffenbaugh representatives may be spreading the word, and may be considering going door-to-door, Ingram said.

“I have prepared a standard letter to let residents know that we will be switching to automation, should we get the contract,” said Bob Mathis, with Deffenbaugh, who prepared the proposal.

“Carts for regular trash and one for recycling helps keep litter off the street and makes the city cleaner,” he said.

Lonnie Johnson said Friday he didn’t know about the proposed rate increase or the change in containers.

“As long as the change doesn’t affect senior citizens, I don’t care,” Johnson said. “Most of us older people will continue to use trash bags.”

“I suspect we’ll get some calls when whoever gets the contract starts putting out the carts,” Ingram said.

Upcoming Events