Peachtree City will not be adopting the franchise model for trash collection, the City Council decided Thursday night.

City residents still have the freedom to pick whatever company they want to pick up their trash.

A need to enforce quality control was one of the main reasons behind the franchise proposal, which would allow only one provider to handle all home trash pickup in the city, said city spokesperson Betsy Tyler. The proposal included the posting of a $25,000 cash bond by the company that won the bid, and that money could be used to levy fines against the company for recurring problems, Tyler said.

Another benefit of the proposed franchise would have been the reduction in truck traffic, she added.

Although council voted down the franchise proposal 4-1, several council members suggested staff look into requiring a higher cash bond from all residential trash pickup providers allowed to operate in the city.

Currently, Allied (formerly EPI) and Allsouth-Robertson (also known as Republic) are the two largest providers in the city, the only other one being Peach State Disposal out of Griffin.
Although the franchise proposal would have resulted in a fee hike for city residents because Allied was out-bid by Republic (also known as All-South Robertson), Allied plans to ask for another rate increase this year under the preferred provider contract due to higher fuel costs

For once a week trash collection, Republic’s bid was 40 cents a month more than the current price offered by Allied, but Allied’s bid was $1.29 more than Republic’s. For twice weekly collection, Republic’s bid was 50 cents more than Allied’s current price.

For twice a week collection, Republic would have charged $17.10 and Allied would have charged $24.68. Republic was also significantly cheaper on recycling, yard trimmings and bulky waste collections.

Several residents at the meeting complained that they need to have trash picked up twice a week, and the staff recommendation for the franchise proposal would limit it to once a week. Others said they should simply have the right to choose their trash provider.

The trash franchise concept was discussed at last year’s council retreat, but the city didn’t undertake a public education program before unveiling the proposal this week, Tyler said.

login to post comments