City of Nahunta officials tabled renewing their contract with Republic Services following a discussion during the monthly October meeting Monday night.
Republic has proposed a $2.65 increase for both home and commercial with its new contract, which would be for 36 months. The current rate is $11.10 and $16.24 respectively with an increase to $13.75 and $18.89.
Mayor Pro-tem Bruce Davis asked if the city could ask for bids.
City Manager Tom Wirth explained the bidding process would have to be done quickly with a December 1 deadline.
“They (Republic) have been very good with coming back if we need them to when people have had some circumstances,” said Wirth. “They work with us and have done a good job.”
Mayor Barbara Maefield expressed being pleased with the current service.
Councilman Richard Johns asked Wirth to check with other companies on their rates. He expressed displeasure with the service.
“They have broken the wheel on my trash can from slamming it down, and supposedly other citizens have had issues,” said Johns.
Councilman Davis mentioned checking with the company the City of Waycross uses, which received backing from Johns.
Wirth told the council members if the city asked for RFPs (Request for Proposal) the price would be higher.
Councilwoman Crystal Johns replied that was blackmail. Councilman Johns said nobody has to know Wirth talked to another company.
It was brought to his attention the RFP would be reported in the paper of the discusion during the meeting.
“I want the best rates for the city,” he responded. “These people are on fixed incomes and I’m going to look out for the citizens as long as I’m on board.”
Councilwoman Deloise McFadden said at least Republic did not hide the face the price would change.
“It is their right to change the prices,” she said. “They were just trying to get us in here before the contract expired. You have to look at it more than one way. At least we know about these guys right here. This other company ya’ll are talking about, we don’t know anything about them.”
Councilman Johns told Wirth to call and find other prices.
“Most of the time they (companies) won’t give that information over the phone,” said Wirth. “I’ll do his best to find out.”
The discussion was tabled to the November meeting.
Other agenda items discussed during the meeting:
• Nahunta Police Department: Police Chief Darin Jennings said his department issued 20 tickets during the month of September.
The chief informed the council he is collecting more information on the True Blue Speed system, the same company the City of Hoboken uses for its school zone.
“We can sit down there as an oficer all day and not catch everything,” said Chief Jennings.
This system is geared towards 11 miles over the speed limit issuing automatic tickets. The comapny gets 35 percent of revenue from the ticket and the city collects 65%.
• Public works: Wirth said the department completed 319 work orders in September.
He informed the council smoke testing begins today (Wednesday, October 5). Wirth said he went around Monday placing door hangers on residents doors.
Wirth told the council USDA plans have been approved for the water treatment plant and the city should be able to start getting bids in two weeks with a contract for the work around January.
“We are getting real close,” he said.
Mayor Maefield told the council the city has been approved for a $1 million grant for the water improvement to replace the old water lines. She received the approval September 23.
• New water clerk: Charlene Walker, who was the temporary Water Clerk, was voted in full-time at an hourly rate of $14 following an executive session to discus personnel. Councilman Johns made the motion, which passed unanimously.
