Columbus, Georgia

Agenda Item #



Columbus Consolidated Government



Council Meeting



06/22/2004



Agenda Report #



TO: Mayor and Council



SUBJECT: Tree for Fee; Six month evaluation report and recommendation



INITIATED BY: Department of Public Services







Origin of the Action: As requested, a six month analysis of the tree for fee

program.

Purpose of the Action: To examine the possibility of instituting the Tree for

Fee program as a regular service of the Waste Collection Division.



Background: In the past, tree collection was not part of city services. This

caused many unsatisfied customers, causing constant complaints to the city and

elected officials.



In November of 2003, we looked at possible alternatives to satisfy our

customers and squelch the constant complaints. It was decided to implement a

tree for fee pilot program. Tree for fee means, we charge $50.00 per load and

$14.00 per ton disposal cost to pick up a tree. This service is done on

Wednesdays, which is not part of our normal collection schedule. The cost

involved was derived from actual overtime spent on tree collection, equipment

operation, and disposal and billing cost.



Discussion: Since the implementation of the tree for fee pilot program (Nov.3,

2003), we have had only two-documented complaints. One was a complaint of a

tree in the back yard and the customer did not understand why we could not go

in the back yard to get it. The other was a lost work order, which made the

customer have to wait additional time for collection.



Since the beginning of the tree for fee pilot program we have had 175 requests

to pick up a tree, with a total weight of 410.87 tons. We hauled 195 loads of

tree debris to the inert landfill. We have spent 140.13 (man hours) on

collection of the trees. The total cost for the (six month) pilot program has

been $9652.94. The total funds billed have been $9,750.00.



The billing collection rate as of April 30,2004 was 82%. There were twelve

delinquent accounts. Four were 30 to 60 days past due and eight were 60 to 90

days past due.



Conclusion: The Tree for Fee program has been a success for the customer and

the Columbus Consolidated Government. This program has effectively stopped the

tree complaints we had in the past. It has also given the citizen another

option for tree disposal.



Recommendation: Continue the tree for fee program.