There’s a real possibility the rates for garbage collection will increase within the city of Picayune soon.
Progressive Waste Solutions Governmental Affairs Manager Gus Bordelon spoke to the city council during Tuesday’s meeting about the increased costs recently imposed upon their company by Waste Management.
Bordelon said in September of last year their company received a flyer while delivering a load at the dump in Millard, which Waste Management maintains and operates. The flyer notified all waste carriers that the price per ton of waste brought to the facility would increase from $22.50 to $33. Bordelon said it’s typical for a dumpsite to increase their rates according to the growing cost of living index, but he has never seen such a steep rate increase before.
Currently Progressive Waste Solutions has been absorbing the additional expense, but he spoke to the council about the need to increase rates to the city, which would in turn mean increases on each resident’s bill.
City Clerk Amber Hinton estimates the rate would need to increase by $2 per month per resident.
Mayor Ed Pinero said he intends to speak with members of the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors, who work with Waste Management on rates. To his knowledge the Board of Supervisors was not alerted to this rate change prior to it taking place either.
“Waste Management stuck it to the citizens, no matter how you slice it,” Pinero said.
The Council directed City Manager Jim Luke to work with Bordelon to form a plan of action to be presented soon.
In other business, the Council approved a motion to appoint Louise Harvin to the Planning Commission to finish Martha Sheppard’s term. Councilor Larry Breland made the appointment, with Councilor Wayne Gouguet seconding. The motion passed unanimously by those members in attendance. Councilor Lynn Bogan Bumpers was absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
See Thursday’s edition of the Item for continued coverage.