Gerald Poff, the owner of Poff Sanitation, requested an increase on the garbage pick-up rates from Pineville City Council.
Council took action to approve his request. The garbage pick-up rate will increase for customers by $1.50.
The council members appeared to find the increase acceptable in this economy.
“He’s never asked for an increase in the four and a half years that he’s had our contract,” said Mayor Sherwin Rader. “Circumstances, I think, have changed.”
The cause of the increase was passed down from an increase at the landfill, which is owned by Waste Connections. They increased their rates for the 109 Board on Solid Waste, who then increased rates at the transfer station, which put more strain on Poff Sanitation.
Gerald Poff, owner Poff Sanitation, asked council for the increase.
After the 109 Board’s increase, “that’s somewhere around $1,200, $1,300, that’s gotta come out of nowhere,” said Poff. “It’s not a drop in the bucket to us. It’s a pretty good cost at once on a $14,000 a month account.”
“I don’t want a raise,” said Poff. “We’re tickled to death with what we’re doing... We’ve got it down to a system and we really like this job. I’m not asking for a raise. As a matter of fact... I’ll do it for the next five years... It’s the easiest place I work and I work all over the state.”
Poff said that Pineville’s collection rate is one of the cheapest in eastern Kentucky.
“Everywhere else we work, it’s somewhere around $12-15,” said Poff.
Council member Bruce Nunn defended Poff’s request.
“I’ve yet to hear the first person that doesn’t like the way they’re doing the garbage,” said Nunn. “All I can see is a trickle down effect. He’s part of a bigger thing and he’s trying to survive.”
“They’re very customer oriented,” chimed Pat Bingham.
Council member Bo Bush made the motion, seconded by council member Bobby Valentine, to raise the garbage pick-up rate by $1.50.
Council member Bruce Nunn made a motion to lock-in Poff Sanitation’s contract and garbage rate to five years, pending research by the city attorney.
The city also approved a lease agreement to get property from Circuit Court Clerk Colby Slusher for five years in the city of Pineville, near La Esperanza, at no cost. Rader said Judge-Executive Albey Brock had promised to offer some coal severance money that could be used to build a pavilion and tables on the property.
The council approved Rader’s recommendations to appoint Daniel Day to the Main Street Board to fill the vacancy of Melissa Howard.
They also approved putting a street light in an alleyway near the Honsel Biliter residence.
Stephen Woodward is a Staff Writer for the Daily News. He may be contacted at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.
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