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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 9, 2015)
Polk County News Polk County Itemizer-Observer • December 9, 2015 9A Monmouth council OKs 8 percent garbage increase Brandt’s Sanitary Service requests first rate adjustment since 2012 in both Monmouth and Independence By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH — Starting Jan. 1, residents of Mon- mouth will see an 8 percent increase in garbage collec- tion from Brandt’s Sanitary Service. T h e Mo n m o u t h C i t y Council approved the in- crease after much discus- sion at its Dec. 1 meeting. Before unanimously ap- proving the rate adjustment, councilors had questions about recycling, costs and how the 8 percent was deter- mined. Councilor Jesse Shafer asked what Brandt’s was doing to increase recycling efforts. “We’re selling the materi- als that have been separat- ed,” said Estle Harlan, solid waste management consult- ant for Brandt’s. “It only cov- ers about 10 percent of the cost of picking it up.” She said when Oregon adopted the Opportunity Recycle Act in 1983, state of- ficials knew it would cost a premium to recycle. “We know it will not cover the costs,” Harlan said. “Some jurisdictions are looking to plug in a 30 per- cent loss over last year on material sales.” Prices are going up at every level of the garbage collection business, except for the price of fuel, Harlan said. Councilor Jon Carey asked why, as people recycle more, the tipping costs at the landfill are so relevant. “That would be true if people were not now dis- posing more,” Harlan said. “We’re recycling more, but we’re still disposing more, so we don’t see the tons going down on the solid waste side dramatically. We’re a throw- away society.” The company is working with a 0.03 percent operat- ing margin, Harlan said, and would like to be closer to 8 percent. Rates have not been raised since 2012. Carey said he would like to do what was necessary to keep Brandt’s in busi- ness. “I think it’s in our best in- terest to keep Brandt’s viable … to do everything we can to assist the profitability and viability of Brandt’s Sanitary Service,” he said. The increase will mean $1.64 more per month for an average residential cus- tomer with a 35-gallon cart. The Independence City Council heard a request for the same increase at its Tuesday meeting, which was after press time. H e i s t h e R e a s o n f o r t h e S e a s o n ! Join us for Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6:00 P.M. First Baptist Church of Independence Sunday Services 11:00 A.M. Ministries include: AWANA, Youth, Men, Women, Small Groups and an active Senior’s Ministry Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 6:15 pm • December 24 Please note the time change is earlier than last year. We are inviting James2 participants to join us . A traditional service of carols, special music and candle light for the whole family! 565 SE LaCreole Drive • 503-623-2481 dallasumc@questoffice.net • wwwumcdallas.com 1505 Monmouth St., Independence 503-838-1001 (Across from Central High School) St.Thomas Episcopal Church Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7:00 pm Eucharist Celebration 1486 SW Levens, Dallas 503-623-8522 • www.stthomasdallas.org Christmas Caroling, Soup & Party on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 4:00 pm. Children’s Christmas Program will be held Sunday, Dec. 20 during the 10:30 am service. The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will start at 7:00 pm The New Year's Eve Party will be at 7:00 pm. Bring your favorite games and snacks. Dallas First Christian Church 1079 SE Jefferson St., Dallas 503-623-2569 Evangelical Bible Church invites you to Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas Dec. 12th • 6:30 pm & Dec. 13th • 4:00 pm Children’s Program: Christmas in Black & White Dec. 19th • 6:00 pm & Dec. 20th • 4:00 pm A Musical Christmas Program 1175 SE Howe St., Dallas • 503-623-2331
