Superior Councilors to Vote on Trash Fee

$9.75 Monthly Fee Would Prevent Privatization of Trash Collection

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Superior City Councilors will vote, Tuesday night, whether to implement a $9.75 solid waste collection fee for city residents.

The fee which would be charged quarterly would prevent the privatization of trash services in Superior.

Superior Mayor, Bruce Hagen will recommend the council pass an ordinance establishing the fee as a quarterly bill during Tuesday’s council meeting.

Councilor Graham Garfield said Monday, that while he doesn’t want to add a fee to resident’s bills, he doesn’t believe privatization of services is a better solution.

Garfield said the $9.75 fee for the city to continue service is lower than the cost of Waste Management services and keeps city employees collecting trash.

Councilor Warren Bender said he thinks privatization of the service might be a better plan. 

Bender believes Waste Management would offer seniors on a fixed income a reduced rate, and privatizing would reduce city costs such as maintenance and insurance fees.

Bender added that Waste Management would allow the workers currently employed by the city to apply for jobs in the private sector.

While neither councilor sees the situation as ideal, both said Superior cannot continue to offer municipal trash services at no cost. 

Bender is inviting citizens to write their councilors or come to the meeting and express their feelings on the matter.