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City takes over trash long haul
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook hopes to save money in the long run by investing another $190,000 in trash hauling equipment and expenses, intending to proceed with taking over what has traditionally been a locally contracted service to haul trash to a landfill.
The additional expense is a combination of a $170,000 purchase of two trash hauling trailers and an approximate $20,000 increase to the department's budget.
The proposed trash hauling expenditures would be in addition to the September 2012 emergency purchase of two semi trucks at $69,800, and council approved addition of a full-time truck driver position.
The City Council coordinated its annual budget retreat, Tuesday evening, to discuss strategies and priorities for the 2013-14 fiscal year city budget. During the meeting, Councilor Bruce McDowell asked if city staff had given consideration to bidding the trash hauling service out again.
Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff replied that it was a possibility but he didn't believe anyone could do it cheaper than the city could, "in the long run."
Potthoff said he believes the city's per ton cost will be less than what any bids would come in at.
Potthoff said it would cost the city an increase of $20,000 to get into the business, which included a full time truck driver position that was already budgeted. Potthoff said that amount did not include the investment of equipment though, which he estimated at $170,000 for the new trailers.
Potthoff said no used trailers were available and new ones would take three to four months to receive, allowing for build time.
Councilor Jerry Calvin asked if city staff had the personnel to provide maintenance work on the trucks and Potthoff replied that the city was hoping to do all of that work themselves.
Councilor Mike Gonzales asked for a specific recommendation one way or another, pertaining to whether the city should take over the trash hauling business, and Potthoff replied that the their best information indicated they should get into the trash hauling business. Potthoff said the city wouldn't know the true costs of getting into the trash hauling business until a year down the road, adding "we have never been in the trucking business."
The previous contracted trash hauler for the city, Steve Fritz, warned city staff in October that they were underestimating maintenance and upkeep costs involved with the semi trucks used in the hauling of trash and said they would likely have to add another full-time mechanic position.
Since the city purchased the two semi trucks last fall it has already had one of them break down while hauling trash. Potthoff informed councilors during the budget meeting that the semi truck broke down a mile after unloading trash and was subsequently towed to North Platte for repairs.
Potthoff indicated that a third, backup semi truck, would likely be requested in the future as well.