School District Will Enter The Garbage Business
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WATER VALLEY – The Water Valley School District will start hauling garbage generated at the schools to a Pontotoc landfill, a cost-saving measure to combat a hefty rate hike coming for resident and commercial customers in the City of Water Valley. Starting in January, the garbage pickup fees in the City of Water Valley will increase 15 percent.
“We are getting in the garbage business,” District Business Manager Randy Goodwin reported at the Dec. 19 school board meeting. “With the increase, we will be paying almost $20,000 per year.”
The school district purchased a used 2007 garbage truck from Ellis Truck and Equipment Sales for $15,010 and 50 garbage carts for $5,000. Goodwin added that the list price for the truck was $35,000 but district transportation manager Craig King, well-known for his negotiating skills, was able to get the price reduced.
Goodwin also reported the decision was made after communicating with the City of Water Valley, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, State Auditor’s Office, school board attorney and the district’s liability insurance provider.
“They all said there was no problem,” Goodwin added.
Superintendent Jerry Williams explained that the city requires the school to pay year-round for pick-up at five different locations that include both schools, the football field, alternative school and softball field.
“We are really only using two dumpsters all year long,” he said, referencing the dumpsters at Davidson Elementary School and Water Valley High School.
Goodwin said the garbage truck has a mechanical arm and will dump the garbage carts daily. The truck will make a weekly haul to Three Rivers Landfill in Pontotoc to dump the garage.
“We will park the garbage truck at the bush shop to make sure there are no odor issues,” Goodwin told school board members.
The Water Valley Board of Aldermen approved the 15 percent rate hike in November following a recommendation by Street Department Superintendent Michael Scroggins. He explained that the tipping fee at Three Rivers Landfill increased from $26.50 per ton to $40 per ton in November. The city haul garbage to the landfill, typically making two hauls per day with an average weight of 7.5 to 10 tons per haul, according to Scroggins.