City Will Increase Garbage Pickup Rates In January
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City workers are pictured distributing new garbage cans in early 2021.
WATER VALLEY – A hefty increase for garbage disposal at Three Rivers Landfill will drive the cost of garbage pickup up 15 percent for commercial and residential customers in the City of Water Valley. The Water Valley Board of Aldermen unanimously voted for the rate hike during the November city meeting following discussion in two prior meetings.
Water Valley Street Department Superintendent Mike Scroggins informed alderpersons that Three Rivers Landfill in Pontotoc will increase the tipping fees from $26.50 per ton to $40 starting this month, marking the first increase for the city since 1997. Scroggins said the city typically has two hauls to the landfill each day, with an average weight of 7.5 to 10 tons per haul.
“We are already tight as it is,” Scroggins added about the sanitation budget.
The vote by alderpersons during the November 1 meeting will amend the city’s sanitation ordinance and a hearing is scheduled for public input on Dec. 6 at 6:30 at city hall. Following the anticipated approval after the hearing, the increase will take effect in January. The increase for residential customers will raise the monthly garbage bill to $17.35.
“It’s an increase of right at a dollar a month. That still puts us under what the county charges. They are at $17.50,” Mayor Donald Gray noted during discussion. “This is a bitter pill, but just another example of inflation.”
The proposed garbage increase triggered discussion during Friday’s school board meeting. Superintendent Jerry Williams shared that the school district will pay an estimated $20,000 annually with the increase.
“We are looking at maybe getting in the garbage business ourselves,” Williams told school board members. The superintendent said the district pays for pickup for dumpsters year-round at the football field, softball ball and old alternative school in addition to the dumpsters at each school.
“We are really only using two dumpsters all year long,” he added about the dumpsters at Davidson Elementary School and Water Valley High School. Williams said the district’s transportation director, Craig King, is researching prices for the possible purchase of a used garbage truck.
