The decision about what to offer is ultimately up to the City Commission, and public meetings are scheduled for the fall, Stansbury said.
Several possibilities are being looked at as the date approaches to begin a new contract. One option is to continue doing solid waste collection and recycling as they already are done. Currently, residents are charged $8 a month for solid waste pickup within the the city. Recyclable items can be taken to the recycling center on the bypass at no charge.
If Danville decides to offer citywide curbside recycling, the recycling center may bid out its services to a pickup service. Donna Fechter, who runs the Danville-Boyle County Recycling Center, said the recycling center, which is funded by both the city and county, likely would need a larger building to handle the demands of curbside service.
Fechter estimated the total cost of a monthly bill for garbage collection with curbside recycling could range from $11.50 to $15. In another scenario, a vendor would handle the majority of the operation from pickup to sorting.
Stansbury said there are several variables, including whether the recycling center could be expanded to accommodate the new influx, that would determine the cost to customers. He said fuel costs, machinery, manpower and revenue from recyclable items must be factored in and predicts that the additional monthly cost would be about $8.
"The decision that is going to be before the community is do you want to be a more environmentally sensitive community. Do you want to be greener and recycle as a city?" Stansbury said.
Stansbury said he would like to see a price structure where those who use their recycling bin receive a marginal discount.
Morgan's proposal will be ready in January or February, Stansbury said.
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SO YOU KNOW
Public meetings will be held this fall before city officials decide on a new contract.
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