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Mandatory trash service could be coming to Holiday Island as early as next January
Most people in Holiday Island contract with a trash hauler to carry away their garbage, but some do not, and Monday the Holiday Island Suburban Improvement District (HISID) Board of Commissioners heard a draft proposal for mandatory trash service to address this and other problems. Director Roger Miner of the Carroll County Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA) presented three draft documents for HISID's consideration: an "Inter-Local Agreement for Solid Waste and Recycling Services"; a "Regulation Establishment of District Services for the Collection of Solid Waste"; and an "Advertisement" for subcontractor proposals to haul the waste. CCSWA normally provides trash service to municipalities and counties as "members" under state law. The law specifically excludes suburban improvement districts (SIDS), Miner said, so Holiday Island cannot be a member and cannot have a representative on the CCSWA board. But he said he has contacted state officials, who said it should be a fairly easy matter to get the law changed to include SIDS. Representative Phil Jackson, a former Carroll County judge, told Miner he would be happy to push for the change. "You need to write a letter to (him)," Miner said. "He would get with a senator to sponsor it. (Jackson) really started the Solid Waste Authority when he was judge." He said the county has agreed to appoint former county judge and Holiday Island resident Ed Robertson to the CCSWA board because it feels Holiday Island should be represented even without formal membership. Under the plan, HISID would contract with CCSWA for trash service. CCSWA would subcontract out the actual service to one of the smaller trash haulers. Prices would remain in the ball park of what they are currently with a private hauler, he said, in the range of $15 or $16 a month. The price would include curbside recycling, an often-requested service, Miner said. Service will be mandatory and the billing would be added to the water bill. The district is in the process of billing monthly for water instead of quarterly. Mandatory trash service - and monthly water billing - would be scheduled to start in January 2005. Standard residential trash service includes once-a-week pickup of two trash bags of 35-gallon capacity or less (homeowners can opt for twice a week for a slightly higher fee) and curbside recycling. CCSWA will supply recycling containers. Residents are required to place their trash within 5 feet of the street where pickup occurs. CCSWA also has provisions for disabled persons to receive house-side service. Commercial service works similarly. Up to three businesses located within 50 yards of each other can share dumpsters. Customers with both a residential and a commercial account can choose which location their trash will be picked up at and be billed for only one account. A permit can be issued for those who are moving and have up to 12 bags of trash to dispose of at one time. For a fee, bulky items can also be picked up. Normal hours of collection will be from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. According to recent changes in state law, the service will be taxed. Miner said the fee would be set by the district and would not be competitive in the bidding. "We need to be consistent across the board," he said. "The fees are set forth, and the Authority and the district will provide the best and most qualified hauler. We want a quality subcontractor with good equipment and good credentials." He recommended the board review the documents and then take action to approve the inter-local agreement "subject to the selection of an acceptable subcontractor to the CCSWA." When asked how to handle temporary residents, Miner suggested charging a "dormant fee," designated by seasons, to provide the service. Building official fired, theft charge is considered Eureka Springs Building Official Randy Mills was fired Monday morning and possibly faces charges of theft for improperly using the city's credit card. Betty is starting a new adventure as she moves to Pennsylvania She's wiry, she's mischievous, she's political, she's determined, she's a volunteer, she's a teacher, she's caring, she's an actor and director, she's 71, she's been in Eureka Springs 12 years and she is leaving to start another stage of her life. Rec Center improvement plan presented The Holiday Island Suburban Improvement District (HISID) Board of Commissioners heard preliminary findings on Recreation Complex improvements from Morrison Architecture at its Monday work session. Mandatory trash service could be coming to Holiday Island as early as next January Most people in Holiday Island contract with a trash hauler to carry away their garbage, but some do not, and Monday the Holiday Island Suburban Improvement District (HISID) Board of Commissioners heard a draft proposal for mandatory trash service to address this and other problems. |