New customers free sign up

By Greg Bird
birdman@tmcvoice.com

With Scott Solid Waste taking over garbage service collection from Poff Carting earlier this month, County leaders have been negotiating with the new ownership to find ways to increase local participation in garbage collection.
Judge Executive Jimmie W. Greene III along with Enforcement Officer Steven McKinney have met with Carl Towne, District Manager with Scott Solid Waste and Waste Connections, to discuss how the new ownership will effect local service. Towne emphasized that Scott Solid Waste will honor the contract signed by the Fiscal Court last year, and keep collection service essentially the same for local residents with the current rate structure intact.
Scott Solid Waste has also agreed to extend a special offer intended to entice new customers to sign up for service.
From now until June 30, all new customers can sign up for garbage service for no fee. (Under Poff Carting new subscribers were subject to potentially pay for several months of past service, even if they did not have their garbage collected.) Additionally, old customers who may have let their service lapse can renew their collection agreement for a one-time fee of $50 through the end of June.
McKinney stated that under the terms of the contract and County ordinance it is illegal for someone to dispose of their garbage in a manner not approved by County ordinance or by terms of the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection. Unlawful disposal methods include illegal burning or dumping. The contract between the County and state law stipulates “all owners and occupants of residential property in the county and all commercial business establishments shall be required to participate in the solid waste collection provided in this agreement. Participation is mandatory.”
McKinney, who was appointed Code Enforcement Officer last month by the Fiscal Court, says by getting more citizens to participate in garbage service the County will be able to offer more services through franchise fees paid by the collection provider.
Under the contract, if more than 4,200 subscribers participate in service the County will receive 5.5 percent of total collections. If participation increases to over 5,200 that percentage increases to 6.5 percent. That money will go to the Solid Waste Fund and can be used for special projects.
“More money means more franchise fees,” McKinney said. “We will be able to use those funds to offer more free dump days, as well as offer discounts to elderly and disabled residents who may need assistance in paying for service.”
“Under our ordinance it is mandatory for residents to sign up for service, and we will be enforcing the ordinance as we move forward,” he added.