LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. – Mark Buchanan brought to the City Council’s attention that the residential recycling program is coming under a new contract and will face a rate increase from the new company at their meeting on Nov. 11.

The Council gave the approval to buy a used dump truck, and a new backhoe, at the meeting. During the board of zoning appeals meeting, they approved both items. The final action that was taken by the council was to appoint two members to the Planning Commission.

Red Oak Sanitation has recently acquired Sanitation Solutions, the company that has been handling the recycling for the city. The current rate that all citizens pay, whether they use recycling or not with Sanitation Solutions, is $4.50 a month. Red Oak, however, has suggested that they will be raising the rate to $26 a month.

Currently, only about 25% of the citizens in the city use recycling services. The county also offers recycling services; however, they have also been dealing with difficulties with the program. To find out more about the county’s program visit https://lumpkin.fetchyournews.com/2021/10/19/commissioners-approve-sound-ordinance/

Buchanan brought this new information to the council as soon as he received and verified it with Red Oaks. The Council made the decision once the new contract is in place if the price is raised to the projected amount to temporarily suspend the recycling program until a better option could be found by staff. This decision was unanimous.

“The agenda item and the numbers were certainly a shock to me and I’m very disappointed in our providers. We are currently paying the vendor $6,000 a month and the new vendor is going up to $39,000 per month,” Councilmen Joel Cordle explained.

The next agenda items that were approved were the purchase of a used dump truck and a new backhoe. John Jarrard Director of Water and Wastewater Treatment budgeted $95,000 for the purchase of a used dump truck. He found a used dump truck that fit the city’s need for $70,000.

An example of a similar dump truck to the one being purchased.

Jarrard has brought drivers and maintenance men to review the truck already. He believes it will take another $10,000 to service bringing him still under his original budget.

The new backhoe is, at this time, an additional unit; however, the other could possibly be put up for sell through auction at https://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.AdvSearchResultsNew&searchPg=Classic&inv_num=&category=00&kWord=&kWordSelect=2&sortBy=ad&agency=357&state=&country=&locID=&timing=bySimple&locationType=state&timeType=&timingWithin=1 

If the old backhoe is placed for sale, the council will let the public know in order to allow for anyone wishing for the opportunity to buy the chance. Buchanan budgeted $100,000 for the new backhoe. He found one for $89,700.

“They’ve done a good job keeping it under budget,” Mayor Sam Norton complimented.

County Commissioner Rhett Stringer while he was explaining his application to the council.

Proceeding the council meeting was the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting. At that meeting, County Commissioner Rhett Stringer requested a variance of the setback requirement from 60 ft. to 15 ft.

Also at the meeting, Neva Garrett requested an additional 174 seat, 5,000 sq. ft. performance theater to the already 63,000 sq. ft. Greenbriar Shopping Center. Garrett made an additional request for the use of shared parking spaces in the area.

The Planning Commission and staff both recommended approval for both applications. The council after giving the public an opportunity to comment approved the applications.

James Carroll after being sworn into The Planning Commission.

Lastly, the council appointed James Carroll and James Spivey to the Planning Commission. Carroll was the only one presented and he was sworn in at the meeting.