County May Review One-Can Policy

RISON - Cleveland County Judge Jimmy Cummings said he is sending a letter and a copy of the county's solid waste contract to justices of the peace on the quorum court this week after hearing public feedback on the one trash can per residence policy that was approved by the quorum court on Jan. 3. "I'm definitely going to bring it (the one can policy) back up to the quorum court," Cummings said. Cummings said both his office as well as the county treasurer's office, which oversees the county's solid waste program, have received "an abundance" of phone calls since the public became aware of the one trash can policy that was approved by the quorum court during its Jan. 3 meeting. Under that policy, residents would be responsible for buying any additional cans. Cummings said the price would be $25 for a used can (if available) and $100 for a new can. Cummings said the phone calls they have received about the policy have ranged from simple inquiries about getting an extra can to who would own the additional cans. Under the county's current contract with the new service provider, Big Smith Waste Services, Inc. from Star City, Cummings said each residence received one trash can. In the county's previous contract with Get Rid of It, Inc., residents with five or more people in a household could get a second can at no charge. During the quorum court meeting earlier this month, Cummings said he could not find a written policy regarding the second trash can. He asked the court to develop a policy, and after some discussion, approved a policy of allowing one trash can per residence with any additional trash can(s) bought by the residents. Cummings said some of the concerns he has encountered is what would happen to the addi-tional cans owned by the residents should the county switch solid waste contractors in the future? He noted that the cans used by Big Smith may not work with the equipment of another provider....