The most surprising quote appeared in this morning’s Journal Star. In a story about Councilwoman Van Auken’s request to research the feasibility of changing from a garbage fee to a combination franchise fee/utility tax that would spread out the costs of the fee, Mayor Ardis had this to say (emphasis mine):
“I have to say I’ve never gotten a phone call. Nobody is saying you’ve got to get rid (of the garbage tax) to me. To have us do something that, at the end of the day, is revenue neutral, I have a problem with that.”
Interesting.
First of all, what needs to be remembered here is that, while Van Auken’s plan is indeed “revenue neutral” for the city, it isn’t “revenue neutral” for the citizens. In fact, the amount citizens would pay would go down, as the new fee would be a percentage of usage. For instance, if your water bill is $30/month, and you’re paying a 10% fee on that, you would be paying only $3/month instead of the current $6. It’s not perfect, as I would like to see the garbage fee eliminated entirely, but at least it mitigates it.
But beyond that, Ardis seems to believe that Peorians are okay with the garbage fee because he has personally heard no complaints. I had no idea the mayor was expecting people to contact him directly with their concern over this issue. I would expect citizens to contact their district councilman or, perhaps, at-large councilmen for an issue like this. That’s what I did. Then again, maybe he’s right. Maybe Peorians don’t care about the garbage fee anymore and are happy with the system as is.
In any case, if you favor abolishing or mitigating the garbage fee, it sounds like the person you need to contact is the Mayor.
Interesting how assuming a position of authority changes an individual’s position on issues. As I recall, he voted against the fee; but now apparently supports maintaining it over other forms. In a strictly philosophical manner, I think that every citizens should pay a per bag charge for every bag of garbage set at the curb. The most effective way to get people to change behavior and recycle more. Or the citizens can make their own arrangements to pay for trash pick up with individual haulers and get the City out of the business entirely (as Springfield does). However, both of these options tend to increase litter and illegal dumping in the community and aren’t nearly as efficient as having a one hauler government provided service.
Really, I have no problem paying for my trash to be picked up. What I don’t like is having a fee charged for “garbage pickup” that would be used for some other purpose. While the garbage fee brings in around $2.5 million annually, I believe the actual cost of providing the service is well in excess of that amount. For that reason, we should just eliminate the fee and roll it into property taxes (can’t believe I agree with Councilman Sandberg on this — but I do). If the City then needs to increase revenues, use Councilwoman VanAuken’s proposal to generate whatever revenue is needed – just be clear about what services it is being imposed to provide. Let’s cut out the smoke and mirrors.
As the proposal stands now, we’ll charge fees to private companies and non-profits to raise revenues to provide a service strictly to the residents of Peoria. All commercial entities have to arrange for and pay for their own garbage collection. Doesn’t seem fair to charge them additional to pay for the Citizen’s collection also.
Peo Proud: Do you realize that the GARBAGE FEE does not go to collection of garabge? Have you a clue? My Lord, it goes to funding police services among other things. The city already has a contract with BFI to collect garbage and it is on your tax bill or included in your property taxes.
Conserving is one thing but a fee that is called a garbage fee that doesn’t go to collecting garbage is unjust.
CJ: excellent post as usual and I have sent an email to Mr. Mayor reminding him of his campaign promise. How they forget.
The fee has to do with cleaning up garbage just not the kind you can sack up and put in a can. It mainly goes for the POP teams. It is just another way to milk money out of us for services that suck.
Once again, let property owners via a property tax pick up the tab. I’m tired of hearing “raise property taxes” every time this city need (or wants) money. Just because I own a house, I can afford to keep paying more taxes? I got a better idea. Lets take away that (temporary – snicker) 2% entertainment tax from the Civic Center and have that entity start standing on its own two feet and put that money into city coffers for essential services.