Fort Smith Board reviews trash rate options

Fort Smith Sanitation Director Baridi Nkokheli revealed rate differentials for automated and non-automated solid waste collection on Tuesday (Aug. 14) at the Fort Smith Board of Directors study session.

The verdict: on a two-tier plan in which Fort Smith residents pay for only the type of service used, automated homes would realize a $1.02 monthly reduction, while non-automated homes would pay around $7.04 more than the current rate.

Automated plans on such a system would run $13.36 per month, while non-automated would rise to $21.42 from the present $14.38 rate.

If the city-wide automation initiative makes it to the Nov. 6 ballot and passes, all homes could pay $13.28 per month, with board approval of the proposed rate reduction, starting in 2013, according to Nkokheli.

Nkokheli fielded questions on Tuesday, mostly from City Directors George Catsavis, Philip Merry, Steve Tyler, and Pam Weber, the four directors opposing the move to full curbside automation.

Fort Smith Director Steve Tyler said he was “disappointed” that the Troubleshooter Program costs all Fort Smith residents just 44 cents per household, while non-automated collection to alleyways would run $8.06 more than automated in a two-tier system.

‘OUT OF WHACK’
“Something doesn’t seem right there. I realize there’s factors maybe I don’t know about that influence that, but I’m a little disappointed that it’s that out of whack. I really think if these 14 neighborhoods (that wish to stay non-automated) are forced to come in to an automated system, that Troubleshooter number is going to go way up,” Tyler said following the meeting.

From July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, Fort Smith Sanitation received 4,191 requests (about 80 per week) for the Troubleshooter Program and moved approximately 232 tons of solid waste.

When asked to address Tyler’s concern, Nkokheli said, “Well, with the Troubleshooter Program, there’s only one driver and one truck, whereas alleyway requires three drivers in each truck, and it requires three trucks. Three residential rear-loaders, a total of nine men collecting on three separate days, versus one man in one smaller truck collecting each day. So the costs associated with nine employees, three garbage trucks, all that maintenance, fuel requirements, and all that, versus one guy, one truck, and his fuel requirements and his employee costs. That’s the comparison. It’s not really apples to apples.”

TRASH CAN ENFORCEMENT
Weber requested that Nkokheli consider his department “taking over the part of enforcement on trash cans being left out” by residents.

Nkokheli said he didn’t “know what we could do to prevent cans that are in people’s yards from being visible from the street,” but his department would be willing to enforce that carts are not left on the curb after collection.

“We’re willing to do whatever is necessary to facilitate the implementation of automation city-wide. And if we need to take on this enforcement for the containers we’re providing, we’re willing to do that,” Nkokheli said.

Fort Smith Director Kevin Settle asked Weber if she would want to delay her request for ordinance until the budget review time in November.

“I don’t want to wait that long,” Weber said. “I think we’re at a critical time, trying to attract industry, and I think this sets a tone that we’re very proud of our city, and we want to maintain our pride in the city.”

Merry seconded the motion for the first regular meeting in September.

Fort Smith Director Don Hutchings, who voted for full implementation of the automated curbside collection program, asked Nkokheli if “this is something you want to do or you’re willing to do?”

Nkokheli responded: “We are willing. I wouldn’t say we’re proactively soliciting for this additional responsibility.”

“We keep giving this department more duties, and we’re stressing them with getting facts and now we’re giving them this huge undertaking,” Hutchings said. “I’ve never seen a city supervisor perform so effectively for six years and be so hindered by micromanaging.”

To Nkokheli’s “willingness” to take on the added responsibilities Weber and Merry requested, Fort Smith Director Andre Good said, “Just because he says he can do it, I mean, he’s not saying, ‘No, I don’t have time,’ but ‘I will do it because you all are our bosses.’ Of course, people are going to try and do what they can.”