Columbus, Georgia

MEMORANDUM



DATE: October 31, 2002



TO: Isaiah Hugley, Deputy City Manager



FROM: Rufus Riggs, Deputy Director, Public Services



SUBJECT: Garbage Fee





Columbus? garbage fee is a flat fee system whereas each resident pays one fee

for garbage collection service regardless of the amount of garbage generated.



With a flat fee system, we cannot modify the fee based upon the volume of

garbage set out for collection. Apartments with only one water meter are

billed $14 for each apartment in the complex. This is done because we do not

have any way of knowing when tenants change. The landlord is billed for the

monthly garbage collection fee and the cost is then passed on to the tenants.



In order to charge for garbage collection according to the amount disposed, we

would need to change to a volume based fee system. A volume based system is

very difficult to administer because each resident is charged based upon the

amount of garbage set out.



Example: Someone may be paying for collection of three 32 gallons of garbage

weekly. For some reason they put out four cans and the driver empties three.

A complaint from that resident can be expected because not all of their garbage

was picked up. A volume based system is doable, but may require more staff to

monitor, coordinate and administer the program.



We have not made allowances for situations as illustrated in Mr. Barfield?s

letter because it is impossible to determine where you draw the line on who is

given reduced rates by volume.



I do not recommend any change to our present garbage collection fee system. To

modify or change may create greater concern from more customers.





cc: Mayor and Councilors