Renewal Of Celina Solid Waste Contract Put On Hold

Celina will delay a new solid waste contract for landfill use after the board of alderman recommended a review of costs for all options.

Mayor Tonya Spears said the new contract with Upper Cumberland Solid Waste is a $45 gate fee including a dump fee of $1.25 per ton. Trash pick up is not included.

Alderman Bruce Rhoton said he wants to see if using city employees for trash pick up would be a cheaper option than contracting an outside company.

“So, what we need to do is find out what we are currently paying our payroll,” Rhoton said. “Do an analyses including this with the increase versus what he quoted and see where we are at.”

Spears said garbage pick up has been difficult for the city with its lone truck out of commission. Spears said city employees are currently using flat beds to dispose residential trash.

“The update on the trash truck is they pulled the old motor and the new motor should have been probably set in today,” Spears said. “They foresee possibly having that for us in the next few days for us. It needs a pressure plate for the clutch and there is front in issues.”

The city has until March 31st to negotiate and lock in a price for the new contract with a length to be decided, Spears said.

In other business, the aldermen set Celina’s city election for June 1. The qualifying deadline to run is March 21st. Spears said interested candidates can come by city hall for applications.