Mayor apologizes for lack of transparency, explains rationale for the hike
(Editor’s note: This article is part of a series, detailing the Kokomo Common Council’s first reading on Oct. 28 of a proposed $10 trash collection fee ordinance. Keep watching the Kokomo Lantern throughout the day for additional articles on this subject.)
The proposed $10 fee for trash collection was the dominant issue before the Kokomo Common Council on Oct. 28, and the council chamber was filled to capacity with disgruntled citizens, ready for a fight.
Before public comments were accepted by the council, however, Mayor Tyler Moore was allowed to give a statement, explaining his administration’s position on the proposed trash fee. The Lantern is providing the mayor’s statement in full for review.
“I realize people are concerned about the proposed trash fee implementation, so I wish to take a few moments to share our rationale as to why we believe this is needed and why it will benefit the community.
“First, I will admit that we could have been more transparent earlier about our thought process and the rationale behind the fee, rather than simply posting a public notice about it being proposed to the council. That's on me, folks, and I apologize. This was not a decision made by anyone on the council.
“But in response to the concerns shared and to be more transparent, we quickly created a link to a page on the city's website to provide, one, more information about the fee, two, an example of a property tax bill breakdown, and three, how the city's portion of those taxes are allocated.
“After years of contemplation, we believe Kokomo is behind in terms of fees for trash services. And by behind, I mean that we as the city haven't taken the initiative to implement the necessary fees or utilize other types of taxes for these services for well over a decade in the interest of keeping the cost of living low or avoiding an unpopular decision.
“For the past four years, this administration has had numerous discussions regarding the need to better fund and support all of our departments’ needs and services, and to assist in how they can continue to do so, either with or without additional fees or taxes considered. Much time and thought has been given to these discussions, so it wasn't an easy decision to come to. Contrary to what many may claim or think, this proposal didn't simply originate overnight.
“In terms of the city's trash collection and disposal, we have a strong partnership with our local AFSCME 2185 union, which works works diligently every day, rain or shine, snow or sleet, to make sure that citizens’ trash services are met and keep our community clean.
“However, trash service in Kokomo doesn't stop there. The city also provides limb and leaf pickup, large item collection, and curbside recycling service, all of which have been added services that the citizens have come to expect through the years and that many assumed were also historically paid through property taxes at no additional cost.
“These additional services were all added through the years without a tax increase, specifically out of the street department and refuse and have been subsidized for a lot longer than many of us have been in office.
“In addition to picking up trash and recycling, the city is responsible for the disposal of those items. This includes a contract currently with Waste Management. We pay per ton to dispose the trash collected. Likewise, we have a contract with Recycle Works to handle the recyclables.
“The combined amount to dispose of this material last year alone was approximately $1.4 million that doesn't include the salaries, the benefits, the additional equipment and such. Luckily, we were able to secure favorable contracts with both of those companies and locked rates in hopefully to prevent additional increases due to inflation.
“Almost all communities in Indiana charge some fee for this disposal, and many also charge extra for large item pickups, which is often charged by the pound. Some communities have cut out limb pickup altogether, while others have stopped providing disposal services themselves, opting to allow private trash collection, which typically is much more expensive than $10 a month.
“Taking any of those additional approaches is not the approach we believe is in the best interest of collective community. Instead, we have kept these services in place in the interest of maintaining our high standard of living. Again, residents have had access to these extra services at no additional increase in the property tax.
“While this has been feasible in the past, it comes at the cost of additional services, including the needs of other city departments. This fee will allow us to offset some, but not all, of the cost of refuse disposal, and allow us to increase other services, not only in the street and refuse department, but others which have been a desperate need for attention for a number of years.
“We are working on addressing those needs, but it isn't an overnight process there, either. In fact, we have been working diligently for these past five years on those concerns as well and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
“I hope this helps you understand the logic and rationale behind the proposed trash fee, and I assume there's still may be those who are in disagreement with it. Whether we continue to disagree on this particular issue, or if the proposed ordinance is eventually defeated, I can assure you that this administration will continue to try our hardest every day to improve our community and the services our departments provide for our citizens, their families and for our future.”