Commissioners approve alternative to annual clean-up week

 Roll-off dumpsters were provided eight locations where residents could dispose of oversize trash 

By LOU ANTONELLI
Editor-in-Chief

Titus County Commissioners Monday approved a plan by County Judge Brian Lee to provide an alternative to the annual clean-up week.

In his report to the court, Lee said:

“Commissioners have discussed and considered alternatives to the annual cleanup week in light of high cost and recent abuse of the provided service. Commissioners voted in July 2018 to seek an alternative that would reduce cost to the county and provide County residents an opportunity to dump trash items that were not picked up by their rural service or were not otherwise disposable in an orderly, legal mariner. 

“The City of Mt. Pleasant owns the local landfill which is operated by Republic Services. City residents are allowed two vouchers per year, issued through the City Water .Department, to dispose of up to one ton of trash at the Pleasant Oaks Landfill on FM 3417. These two vouchers are provided to City residents annually with proof of a City water bill. 

“Pleasant Oaks Landfill is available to City as well as County residents who are willing to pay. Current pricing is $35 per ton, or $17.56 per half ton minimum. This service EXCLUDES liquids, paint, solvents, tires and roofing shingles. 

“The idea had been discussed in Commissioner's Court to consider providing a similar voucher service for county residents that would allow them a similar two dump opportunity at the landfill. “Questions that came up were how much it would cost the county, what county office would provide vouchers, would this be a suitable replacement for annual cleanup week, 

“On Monday August 6^th I met with City Manager Mike Ahrens and Jacob Hatfield as well as Gene Keenan and Michael Sandifur with Repubfic Services in hopes that we could work out an arrangement to provide vouchers for the County.

“It was learned in that meeting, that in fact county residents could already obtain vouchers from the City Water Department by providing a copy of a waste service bill from another non-city provider.

“Mr. Hatfield had brought a copy of the contract between the City and Republic which included this provision, however did not specify that county residents had to subscribe to trash services. 

“The City is allocated a certain amount of trash attributable to the voucher program. If that total specified tonnage is exceeded, then Republic will bill the City on a per ton overage basis. 

“Mr. Hatfield confirmed with the water department that approximately 150 County resident vouchers had been received from January to July 2018, Mr. Ahrens, at this time, is willing to continue to provide vouchers to County residents through the water department.

“This relieves the County of additional administrative duties. We all agreed that if the City's annual tonnage allocation is exceeded, that the County will have to pay their fair share. The County could use savings from the elimination of cleanup week dumpsters to pay towards this cost.

“I am recommending that the County eliminate cleanup week and instead communicate the voucher option to County residents, as well as the availability of the landfill on a cost per ton basis without a voucher.

“Proof of county residency and identification matching the user to the address continue to be required, however proof of trash service bill will not be required.”

The most recent annual Spring Clean Up Week was March 24-31 Roll-off dumpsters were provided eight locations where residents could dispose of oversize trash during that period.

Lee pointed out the county paid $26,000 for the last clean up week, which is money that could now be applied towards the service at the landfill.

The proposal was approved unanimously.