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Bay City Beat
TRASHY PROBLEMS By Tom Baird
At the Bay City Commission meeting of August 28th the Commission approved on a 5-4 vote the final trash fees for trash collection in Bay City. This finally has been approved for one year after much lengthy discussion among the Bay City Commissioners and residents of Bay City. Indeed, at a recent meeting a Bay City resident wheeled into the Commission Chambers a dark blue 95-gallon drum to make a point about his concerns. Back during the 2000 budget process City staff recommended eliminating the sanitation millage from the City's tax levy for all property owners in Bay City. This was brought about because big business had contended it wasn't fair to have sanitation tax on their properties, even though they had private trash removal. Enough businesses got the City's ear and had them eliminate the sanitation portion of the millage, which was a reduction of 2.12 mills. Back earlier in the year, the City went to a citywide 95 gallon trash dumpster for every property within the city. However, the new catch was that now there would be a trash collection fee placed on residents monthly water bills. During the June budget hearings it was agreed to collect a $10.25 per month fee. This only passed on a 5-4 vote with Commissioners Shaw (1st), Legner (3rd) , Bleau (4th), Eager (5th), and Hutter (7th) voting for the new fee. Voting against the new fee were Commissioners Hintz (2nd), Katt (6th), Buda (8th) and Schram (9th). This would be the exact same vote for the final approval on August 28th. Between the June and late August votes there has been a steady flow of citizens appearing at the City Commission meetings and writing to the local newspaper in opposition to these new fees. For many in Bay City it actually means a raise in the cost of how their trash is actually being removed. It should also be pointed out that the Commission turned down this request during the 1999 budget process. The verdict wasn't overwhelming and I feel the issue is far from being finished. Undoubtedly, the Bay City Commission will be reviewing this issue during the 2001 Budget Hearings. |
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