City ups rate for dumping at landfill

The price of waste disposal at the Dothan landfill hasn’t increased in nearly 20 years, but the cost associated with it has gone up, leaving Dothan taxpayers to fund the difference.

Tuesday, city commissioners put an end to the burden on taxpayers by unanimously voting to raise the commercial and business tipping fee inside the county from $28 to $38 a ton, effective Dec. 1. The city increase is $9 a ton and the state began Oct. 1 imposing a $1 per ton fee to fund a recycling program.

Jim Martin of Martin Environmental Waste Recycling said he would have to pass along the additional costs to his customers. He asked that the increase be done in increments.

Commissioner Amos Newsome suggested phasing the increase in over three months to help businesses like Martin’s. As submitted, the new rate was to take effect Nov. 1.

“This way we are not putting a $9 increase 10 days away,” Newsome said. “This is reasonable, understanding the cost of fuel. We just need to be reasonable on how we make financial changes on those doing business in, around or with our city.”

Commissioner Keith Seagle said somebody has to feel the pain and for years, it’s been the citizens.

“If the people who are tipping aren’t paying it, then the people of Dothan are. If we are not charging enough to process (the waste), then people are paying through electric rates or sales taxes,” Seagle said. “Somebody has to pay it.

“The bigger question is why have we gone 20 years or so without increasing rates? Name one thing you are paying the same for as you were 20 years ago. Everything goes up.”

Martin said he is currently looking for another landfill, realizing the city doesn’t mind losing customers because it extends the life of the landfill.

“You have a bull’s eye on my back,” Martin said. “You want me gone.”

He believes Dothan businesses will be adversely affected by the increase. “Every business will pay for it,” he said.

“Right now, the citizens pay this,” Thomas said.

Within the next few years the city will have to close the landfill at a cost of about $5 million. Officials are weighing options on opening another at the same cost or using a regional or private landfill.

Martin suggested the city consider imposing a garbage fee. “The day the city gets out of the business and somebody gets in, there won’t be a zero on the bill,” he said.