FIERCE COMPETITION FORECAST FOR TRASH-HAULING IN JACKSON

JACKSON -- Many businesses here will be affected by the Board of Aldermen's decision Monday night to discontinue commercial trash pickup.

The city will continue to offer free residential service, but as of Jan. 1, 1997, will no longer offer commercial service.

According to City Administrator Steve Wilson, the city would have had to raise their rates on commercial service just to break even.

"The intent was to keep residential trash free as long as we possibly can," Wilson says. "We needed to take a look at ways to offset expenses."

The city currently charges $20 per month for pickup of a two-yard bin once a week; additional bins are $16 per month. Rates for a four-yard bin are $38 per month and $24 per month for additional bins.

By discontinuing the commercial service hauling, the city will save at least $60,000 in gate rate fees for the landfill alone, which doesn't include savings on the use of the equipment or man hours.

Several commercial trash haulers have already expressed interest in providing trash hauling for the city of Jackson.

Since businesses were required to purchase their trash bins initially at a cost of $300 to $400, the city would like to see a stipulation in any agreement with a trash hauling company to repurchase the trash bins from local businesses.

Andy Leighton from Lemon's Waste Systems Inc. says that competition will be fierce to win customers' business. Although he didn't nail down a specific rate, he expects it to be at least a 50 percent increase over the cost the city was charging for the basic minimum service. He recommends that businesses work together to try and get a group rate.

"If we can get whole streets to go with us, we can cut them a better deal," says Leighton.

Brenda and John Pfefferkorn, owners of Tender Care Playhouse, are just one of the 270 businesses that will be affected by the loss of service for trash pickup.

"I don't think it's really going to affect our business," Brenda says. "I'm sure we'll manage. I'm just sad 'cause they're real nice people to work with."

Joe Bollinger with Schapers IGA Foodliner in Jackson wasn't quite as optimistic. They are currently getting trash pickup three times a week.

"I'm sure it's going to be costing us more," Bollinger says, although he hadn't seen a rate schedule yet.