Cost was the main concern among Iola Council members with a proposed drop-off recycling program presented Monday. The evening’s discussion was the second of its kind since the Council has decided to offer a recycling program in some form to the community. Council members agree the need is there, but they are not willing to raise utility fees if necessary to accommodate a program. The Council initially discussed offering curbside pickup and constructing a recycling facility at the Jan. 22 meeting but balked at the projected investment of $585,000. Tasked to research other alternatives, City Administrator Matt Rehder presented a new drop-off recycling proposal Monday. The proposed program consists of four drop-off recycling containers for plastics, cardboard, glass, and aluminum. The containers would be placed within city limits at a singular “to-be-determined” location. The total cost of such a program would be approximately $141,100 annually, with an initial start-up cost of $273,000. Mayor Steve French took issue with the cost of the truck to transport the recyclables, as well as the need to create a new full-time position. “We need to save where we can,” he said. He suggested the council and city administration consider utilizing a private entity to pick up the items to eliminate the cost of a new truck and driver. “If we can drive the cost down, I can accept it,” he added. The estimated cost of a roll-off container truck is $225,000 and the cost to employ a driver would be $45,000. The roll-off containers, by themselves, cost $48,000. Eliminating the need for the truck and new position would dramatically decrease the proposal’s initial start-up cost, as well as the recurring annual fees.
Source: The Iola Register
