The Jefferson County Commission is expected to approve a new contract with Advance Disposal for garbage service, but it is making changes to it due to hundreds of complaints received within the year. (abc3340.com)
Thursday, the Jefferson County Commission is expected to approve a new contract with Advance Disposal for garbage service, but it is making changes to it due to hundreds of complaints received within the year.
“There are changes in the contract this year,” said Commission President Jimmie Stephens. “There will be repercussions for the operator should the contract provisions not be followed.”
Stephens says he has a two-and-a-half-inch stack of complaints in his office about the trash service.
Kim Kirkpatrick is one who had issues.
“They did not pick up the trash when they were supposed to,” said Kirkpatrick. “We had trash cans sitting out here and they ended up breaking trash cans.”
Kirkpatrick was so frustrated, she canceled the service and rented a dumpster from another company.
Other residents kept the service but remained concerned.
“They have a very large area to cover here, so sometimes they're not always coming on the same day they're scheduled to come,” one resident told ABC 33/40. “They had a new driver and he basically had a problem with the hydraulics as far as controlling it and took down my mailbox.”
In time, the mailbox was replaced.
Stephens says the new contract addresses the concerns.
“There will be a $100 fine for each time the garbage pickup is missed,” said Stephens. “That would double if it becomes a recurring event.”
ABC 33/40 asked Stephens why the commission is sticking with the same company, despite the complaints.
“The problem we had was this particular company was significantly lower than the next highest responsible bidder,” replied Stephens. “It’s important we spend the taxpayers’ money and represent them in the proper manner. With this change in the contract, I feel they will be able to be well represented by the county and their garbage will be picked up.”