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GoogleThe proposal, explained to the city council in June, could save Shelbyville as much as $700,000 a year -- but residents would also see an additional $9 tacked onto their monthly electric bills.
Shelbyville City Manager Ed Craig noted at the time that one thing Shelbyville does not do that "almost everybody else does" is charge for garbage collection.
The proposed fee would be utilized to pay for a new collection system, one that uses a style of truck council members referred to as "one-armed bandits" that only require one person to operate.
Currently, Shelbyville uses two rear-loader trash collection trucks that are operated by a three-man team to pick up solid waste from approximately 6,800 residential customers.
Apartments and trailer parks are provided with three dumpsters, serviced weekly, and more than 200 businesses that use no more than the four 34-gallon trash containers also have their waste picked up weekly.
Shelbyville isn't charging any of these customers for the service right now, and the proposed 2010 sanitation budget is $774,199, with $1,500 in revenue and $775,699 in expenses.
Under the proposal, the city would provide residences with specially-designed, 96-gallon trash receptacles, which would be property of the city. Replacement or additional containers could be purchased by the customer.
Residents in trailer parks and apartments would have their own containers -- and their own fees on their power bills.
Craig explained to the council in June that the cost of two trucks and approximately 8,000 containers would cost about $1 million, with the trucks costing $250,000 each and the containers $60 each.
The city would have to borrow the funds, but Craig told the council that with an estimated $63,000 monthly revenue from the fee, balanced against the TML loan payments, depreciation, and operating expenses, the net cost to the city for garbage collection would be $5,928 a month, or $71,133 a year -- compared to the $774,109 that has been budgeted for 2010.
The city manager also explained at the time that the automated system would also save money for the city in workers' compensation, where the rate is high for sanitation jobs.
Craig said in June the proposal would eliminate four jobs at a savings of $150,000. Those people would not be terminated, but would be absorbed into the department by attrition since the street department is three people short, Craig said.
The workers would be taken into other departments as jobs became available due to people retiring, quitting or being terminated over a period of time, he added.
If enacted, the new trucks would be able to serve 50 percent more households per day and the containers would give the city a neater appearance. Also, the containers are wheeled, and easy to maneuver.
The fees in other cities range from $9.20 (Pulaski) to $13.43 (Manchester), according to a Municipal Technical Advisory Service report.
Also, anyone on a low-income-based tax relief program would not be required to pay the additional fee.
Craig stated at the time that the automated system could be in place by January and that one company they are considering, Stringfellow, produces excellent educational material about the system and works with residents to get them used to the concept.
-- Staff writer Mary Reeves contributed to this report.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
So Shelbyville is going to charge the citizens an extra $9 a month on an already increasing electric bill for a program that is going to actually cut the current cost of garbage disposal?
Oh well, the federal government is screwing us already so Shelbyville might as well also. LOL!
This is great we will save the city almost 3/4 mil/year, but it can't cover the $9 fee for 8000 residents? Of course this bill will hit in January when alot of us had $400-$500 bills last year. Of course I might just be a pesimist, but with $364,455.26 worth of flume repair costs hovering over the city/shelbyville power who will be paying?
I'm quite sure there are many residents like myself that are not too lazy to take off there own garbage, hopefully these communistic community leaders of ours are not just going to add on more to the electric bill without your approval. The electric bills are too high already, I went to the county clerks office the other day and they charged me $3 dollars just to get a copy of my registration, can you imagine 3 dollars for a piece of paper that cost less than .50 cents. Folks are still gouching people any way they can, its a wonder kathy prater didn't want me to pay for the air I was breathing there, I grew up with these folks and assumed they all had better morals than gouch folks. Just like obama and the rest, shelbyville needs some ethinic cleansing of the officials and replace them with true honest christians not ones that say they are "BUT" give me the clothes off your back. Doesn't matter what I say though, they'll just bring in folks from other countries to take my place even though I am a veteran that fought for their rights to screw everyone at will. Quit finding ways to gouch people you low lifers, that's why things are the way they are cause of folks like you. Put a smile on your face and stab all in the back. May god let you not sleep at night.
No kidding! I haul my own trash already - I don't want to be CHARGED $9.00 for the pleasure of doing it.
I don't know how they plan on doing the garbage charge here in Shelbyville but when I lived in Atlanta it was charged on your electric bill regardless if you hauled your own trash off or not. So if you are going to pay for it you might as well use it.. we had to use recycle cans also. One for cans, one for paper, one for plastic which was good I guess but it was certainly a pain. The kool thing about the way they did it in Atlanta was they actually came and got the cans from beside your house there was no dragging them out to the road.
I said it on June 5th when this came up before, this is a backdoor tax hike and they hope you are not paying attention.
If this is such a good system and will save the city money why do we need to pay an extra $9 per month? Oh, to pay for the initial capital outlay for the equipment and containers..... Is there a plan to remove the $9 once they are paid for? NO.
From the June 5th article "Councilman Al Stephenson asked the other council members if they would be interested in earmarking the saved revenue for the intent of purchasing industrial property and most indicated they would."
This is not being proposed to improve the garbage pickup or to save money. It is just a way for them to get you to pay for the garbage pickup while shifting the tax dollars you are currently paying for this service to other areas.
It's a $108 per year property tax hike for the city. Don't let them do this pretending it is to save money or improve services.
What are the city taxes for? Why are we paying for services twice? You got my NO vote, what does Shelbyville need a class action law suit? Something to be said about taxation without representation. The trucks could of already been bought and paid for with the "EXSISTING TAX DOLLARS" which have been squandered such as tearing down buildings that don't belong to the city. You see it everyday in Shelbyville. 8,000 houses... Thats a lot of tax dollars and more than the 9 dollars a month!
Ed Craig needs to go!!! The sooner - the better!
If I'm not mistaken, our garbage pickup is already figured in as item in our budget. And also, Tullahoma has this system in place already. My mother-in-law pays nothing extra for it. If she wants or needs a second can, that has to be purchased by her. With all of our officials having all their hands out now for money, looks like they are gonna need to grow some new hands. It appears, if I read this correctly, under this new system, our costs are $772,876 less per year. With a one time outlay of $1,000,000 initially, we have an amount of $212,876 we need to come up with the first year.Looks like our elected officials will be rolling in clover after the first year. Mr. Stephenson, I voted for you. Thanks alot. Looks like I called it wrong once again.
I don't like the extra $9 a month, but we do have the lowest taxes around. No wheel tax and property taxes aren't that bad compaired to surronding counties. Like everything else, the services aren't free. We could tell them that we don't want trash pickup at all and we can all just take our trash to the collection centers like those out in the county do.
The way I see it we pay taxes for this now. I moved to the city from the county the only thing I get from the city is garabage pickup and a street light that works half the time so what the crap is all this city tax money going to. The water dept. told me water and sewer has gone up twice lately, why?
If I figured right if you charge $9.00 per person would just about pay for it in a year, so your gonna continue charge from then on out???????
These trucks sound awful exspensive, I have bought big trucks in my line of work and they are not even close to that amount. My vote is NO unless you can pay for it in the budget that you already have!
What about the elderly people and the handy capped people who can't get around very well, are you gonna get there trash containers to the curb for pick up ?????
I use a walker to get around and can NOT pull some sort of cart to the curb.
ARE YOU GONNA COME AND HELP ME ???
Yes, we are already being charged and we use to have it picked up twice a week, looks as though there needs to be belt tighting else where, my vote is no.
What now? We already pay taxes for this. People that is out of wokk are scrambling now to pay their bils and now they are going to have to worry about trash pickup. Thats messed up!! There are crimes in Shelbville that happens everyday and that is what the city needs to be worried about. I have a police scanner and I think that the people that lets their chidren play on the phone and dial 911 needs to be fined. The city would get money that way instead of charging the city residents money for trash pickup.
This is something you can keep raising the charge every year if you want too, right?
lonewolf2110.... Just a question. How do you get your trash to the side of the road now?
sameoldstory
I don't want to seem like I am picking on you on this newspaper but not too many people have a 96 gallon trash can. I just wonder though how long do they expect these cans to last? The article says the cans will be the property of the city. If that is so then why does it go on to say the customer will be responsible for replacement? If they treat these cans anything like they do the personal cans that are picked up now, they should have to replace them.
Now I am not for an increase in anyone's electric bill no matter how small. But I would be willing to bet the people who live out in the country would love for someone to come pick up their trash for 9$ a month. We use more gas than that going to the Convenience center. :>)
I wasn't going to say anything about this but beings I am on a roll here: All you guys fussing about a lousy 9$ a month increase for trash pickup, where are you on the other article about the School Board imposing the dress code for students? Don't you think it is costing these parents tons more than $9.00 a month? Or is it just because it doesn't affect you..and it makes no difference to you what other people have to pay to go to public school that their taxes already pay for!
Ok I will come down off the soapbox now...it's all yours. :>)
Hey Guys think about this. When was the last time we had a tax increase. If they decide to do a tax increase and they will at some time. Who gets affected? HOME OWNERS/PROPERTY OWNERS. What would you rather have 9 dollars added to EVERYBODYS electric bill or eventually a tax increase that just affects Home owners. I am not one for tax increases but something is going to have to be done soon to keep this city going. If you are going to do something make sure its fair for everyone. Make no mistake this is a increase but at least it will get everybody fairly, not just home owners. Everyone who gets electric bill has to pay if you own the property or not.
I would love to only pay $9.00 per month to have my garbage picked up. I was paying $20.00, but no longer have that option so back to hauling it myself. I'm not usually in agreement for a tax hike, but I think if I lived in the city, I would be willing to pay this one. In fact, if anyone out there would like I would be willing to pay for that service even now.
They say that the city will furnish the first can, what do you think the $9.00 a month is for? In 12 months that can going to cost the people $108.00 a year, then if it get damage you have to pay for the second can, which you will be paying for the first one. I live on Social Security and also have tax-relief. So they not going to put the $9.00 on our light bill, which is nice. Because I can't afford to pay my light bill now. But I thinking about the other people that don't get TAX-RELIEF, they can't afford to pay there light bill now and it not getting any better. They said that the light bill was suppose to go back now, but mind went higher, and don't used anymore than I did 2 months ago.
I can't get one of those cans out to the road and who want one to set in front of your house all the time? I am Handicapped and I do well to even walk to my vehicle. Plus I couldn't carry my trash to the road. Mr. Craig told me he would have the city trash-truck to back down in my driveway and get my trash every week, which would be nice. But what about the other elderly or handicapped people? Plus have you seen have they drive? I don't want my truck back over.
Besides I have been trying to get the dog catcher to come and get some cats, and I haven't seen him yet. First time was he had to wait till it stop rainning, well it had stop and still haven't show up. The next time, Oh! I haven't forgotten thoses cats. So if anyone see the dog catcher, send him over on Depot St and get the darn cats. There was only 8 when I first told him now we have 15, and I don't even own a cat.
He can set on the side of the road and talk, when he should be out doing his job. Then we wouldn't have to get trash cans. He getting paid while he setting and talking, that where our TAX- MONEY goes and it not just the Dog Catcher, alot of the City Employess is not doing there jobs, The other day one was driving and second man was setting there with head lay back sleeping. Must be nice to sleep and ride. If the people would just watch the city trucks, they know what kind of people using the tax payer money. Wake up People of Shelbyville and watch!!!!
Dianatn.... If they get the ones like Murfreesboro has, then they will last a long time. These aren't your run of the mill Wal-Mart trashcans. As many times as I lost trash lids in storms, it will be nice to have something that won't blow away. I may not like the $9.00 a month, but there is something to say about driving down a street and everyone has the same trash container. A bit more pleasing to the eye on trash day.
LOL . . . you must be lazy Sharon22. :-P
I pass the convenience everyday on my way to work so paying $9 for something I can do for free is just silly to me but fortunately I dont have to worry about it since I live in Wartrace. YAY!
We don"t have to be like everyone else.
Jax,
No not lazy, between time contraints(work) and the times the center by my house is open and the fact it is for 2 homes, I honestly do not mind paying for someone to haul my garbage. I don't happen to be lucky like you to pass by the convience centers on my way to or home from work.
Sharon22 you are already paying for trash pick-up when you pay your City Property Taxes. I "ditto" everything JohnnyReb said. We are already paying for this service. Will they deduct $108 per year from my City taxes? (DUH!)I thought all the stimulus money we were supposed to be getting was suppose to generate more jobs, and here the city is looking to cut more jobs by buying 250,000. trucks. I have been spouting for months about the ridiculous spending on demolishing property that did not belong to the city and picking up the tab. There was no shortage of money when we jumped to the head of the line to pick up those tabs, but when it comes to the livlihood of city workers, we can erase them with little or no thought. Now that we've demolished buildings at the City expense, all of a sudden there is Federal money to "take a wreckerball to city eyesores". GO FIGURE! I am sick to death of government interference. All this CHANGE is turning me into a skeptical, distrusting, malcontent American who feels like her dreams are being snatched away and taken over by Big Brother. I am a very social person, just not a SOCIALIST. When Federal fees are imposed on every bill you have (telephone, utilities, trash, etc) with no recourse, that is not a democracy, that is socialism.
To Sharon22 on Thu, Aug 6, 2009, at 10:35 PM. My 16 year old child said they would LOVE to pick up your trash for 9.00 a month and maybe they could get another 50 people that wanted to pay for the service they were already paying for. This would involve about 2 hours a week with a truck that would HAUL it all. Nothing like making 400 dollars for 8 hours work... the American way!
Union
People who live outside the city limits do not pay for trash pick up thus why we have to haul our own. No trucks come by and get it.. Your 16 year old should try and recruit people who live all in the same area. It would be quite a shame to charge 9.00 a pick up and have to drive to Wheel then to Flat Creek then to Unionville. His 400$ a month would be eat up in gas. But if he decided he wants to do it for 9.00 a month count me in for sure.
It is just another way to get more money to throw away! better wake up folks we already pay for trash pick up!People take the time and read what is spent at city hall, it all adds up and somebody is going to pay for this! OPEN YOUR EYES and see what is being spent people it adds up fast!
Union,
Does your son live in the Unionville area? I know of several in this area that would love to get their trash picked up. I would even to be willing to pay $9.00 a pick up, or negotiate a price.
9.00 isnt bad. Its 15.00 here in Goodlettsville.
The idea of changing the way Shelbyville collects trash has merit. What does NOT have merit are certain passages of the story.
STORY SAYS - "Shelbyville City Manager Ed Craig noted at the time that one thing Shelbyville does not do that "almost everybody else does" is charge for garbage collection." And "Shelbyville isn't charging any of these customers for the service right now"
MY REPLY - Mr. Craig, sorry to bust your bubble but, I believe, you are soooooo wrong in these statements. Shelbyville DOES charge for garbage collection, have you forgotten...it's called PROPERTY TAXES...or does reimbursement to the city come from some far away land that we haven't been told about.
STORY SAYS -- "the city would provide residences with specially-designed, 96-gallon trash receptacles"
MY REPLY -- Wording is everything isn't it...the city cannot "provide" anything to the taxpayer except that which it pays for with taxes from, guess who, the taxpayers!
STORY SAYS -- "The city would have to borrow the funds"
MY REPLY - If this is the way the city council wants to collect garbage, then I'm ok with this method. But, why can't the city begin collecting the fees now and start earning interest on it, then pay for everything up front with cash! Is there some legal reason why this way of financing can't happen??? Cash is good, borrowing is not so good.
STORY SAYS -- "the net cost to the city for garbage collection would be $5,928 a month..."
MY REPLY -- If a user fee is affixed to this, then the user fees should pay ALL the expenses. I don't want to be double taxed by having this fee and still part of my property taxes going towards this. Property owners who pay this fee should get a discount on their property taxes.
I don't live in the city, but why can't people take their own trash off?? I understand that some people can't due to transportation reason or a disability. But, other than that, there shouldn't be any reason why you cannot do it yourself. If it is time reasons, the centers are open on Saturday mornings. Yes, you will have to get up before noon. We take ours off ourself whenever we leave the house on the days that they are open.