KINGWOOD — Kingwood doesn’t appear to charge enough for garbage collection and recycling to pay for the services, so council is considering the first garbage rate increase in a decade.
Council discussed rates Tuesday, after Recorder Bill Robertson presented information on finances he gathered by looking at the budget.
It’s hard to know exactly how much in the red the transfer station, garbage collection and recycling departments run because of the way municipal bookkeeping is done, he said.
For example, all fuel is charged to the city garage line item. But a four-month average shows 913 gallons were used by the transfer station truck, 163 by the recycling truck and 362 by garbage trucks.
“It’s like running two businesses and five nonprofit organizations out of the same book,” Robertson said by example. “It’s just so overwhelming that it doesn’t make total sense to me. I’m not an accountant.”
Council agreed to contact accountant Jerry Kirk, who works with the city when it applies to the State Public Service Commission (PSC). Kirk will be asked to figure the cost of the services and help prepare a PSC rate hike application.
Kingwood last raised rates at the transfer station in 2007 and for garbage customers in 2010.
The current rate for residential customers inside city limits is $15.40 per month and outside city limits $17.26 monthly. A 10% increase was discussed.
The Tucker County Landfill is seeking a rate increase, Councilman Mike Lipscomb reminded council. That will increase Kingwood’s expenses.
In other fiscal matters, City Supervisor Bruce Pyles told council the truck used at the cemetery is broken down and needs replaced, and the 2007 ATV used to water flowers on the light poles twice daily in the summer and for other chores needs $2,500 in parts and repairs.
He and Councilwoman Michelle Whetsell are getting estimates on a new street sweeper to replace the one Kingwood has had since 2001. It also is not in good shape, Pyles said.
Council also:
– Hired Doug Montague as a full-time police officer, effective Feb. 3. Montague works part-time for Kingwood and full-time for the Morgantown Police Department. He is retiring from MPD.
– Agreed to act on condemnation of a dilapidated property at 114 1/2 Chestnut St. at its next meeting.
– Agreed to advertise for a bookkeeper for parks and recreation to fill a vacancy.
– Suggested getting estimates on contracting out mowing, weed-eating and blowing grass from graves in the 23-acre, city-owned Maplewood Cemetery. It takes a lot of time for city workers to do upkeep in the summer, Pyles said.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
