To the editor:

Recently, there has been some discussion about the fee structure and operations of the city’s trash pickup service. The idea of forcing everyone to use a city-provided container, charging a monthly fee for it and, then, raising monthly rates is ridiculous.

I use Deffenbaugh recycling services for $14.85 per quarter. They manage to provide the container and use a mechanized vehicle to complete a route in my neighborhood with one person. Using their service has reduced my solid waste for city pickup by about 50 percent, but it takes three people for the city to complete the same route in a similar vehicle.

Perhaps the city could learn something from the private sector before it leaps into raising our rates and charging monthly fees for the container. Maybe there’s a model out there which would allow the city to be more efficient and reduce its labor costs at the same time, eliminating the need for rate increases and additional fees.

I would suggest that the city encourage recycling by offering a rebate on its trash bills for those who can document that they use a recycling service. If it is set on ordering up mandatory waste containers, then a one-time setup fee is all that might be justified. A monthly rental fee may get the city more revenue, but it’s just another tax that many can’t afford. Any plan that the city proposes should include greater efficiency and a reduction in both operational and personnel costs.