BIDDING OUT TRASH SERVICE MAKES CITY LOOK GOOD: PICKING UP TRASH

Trash fees have long been a source of contention in the city of Cape Girardeau. Angry citizens demanded that the city staff seek bids -- contending that commercial trash service would no doubt be lower.

It wasn't.

Bids from two outside contractors for Cape Girardeau trash service came in higher than the proposed fee for solid waste service.

It may be disappointing, but it underscores the city's contention that trash pickup is a costly service -- with higher prices fueled by snowballing regulations.

Continental Waste Inc. of Jackson bid $17.76 per month for the same level of trash service. The Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI) bid was $13.60 per month, although the bid differed from the specifications. The city's "bid" stands at $12.10.

This exercise proved educational. It demonstrated that citizens shouldn't make assumptions about fees without all the facts. And the city learned that it doesn't hurt to compare -- they should feel good about the fact they are cost competitive.

Had the bids come in much lower, it would have also provided a good basis for reviewing current services and prices.

When it comes to discussions of money -- especially taxpayers' dollars -- the more facts the better.