05.25.09
may get out of trash business; SWACO proposal would aid Columbus' budget, landfill, but residents could foot bill
By: Barbara Carmen - The Columbus Dispatch
City and neighborhood leaders say they'll consider proposals to regionalize recycling, yard-waste collection and possibly trash pickup as Columbus prepares to ask voters to raise the income tax.

Giving the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio control of all waste from doorstep to dump would preserve the life of the county landfill while providing more services to more residents -- and at a cheaper per-household price, they say.

And there could be benefits to the city budget:

* Columbus' trash bill is $50 million a year, and shifting even some of the burden to SWACO could free up city money for other needs. The downside is that this move also could shift the cost to property owners, who likely would see the charges on their tax bills.

* Columbus could add universal service for recycling and yard waste, which are available only to subscribers, and at less cost than individuals pay now. This would spare the city tipping fees at the landfill for items that could be recycled or mulched. The downside is that most residents are not paying for those services now, so their bills would increase.

"In tough times like these, we have to look at everything" to offer services more efficiently, City Councilman Andrew J. Ginther said.

Without changes to services, the city likely will need budget cuts even if Columbus voters approve a tax increase in August from 2 percent to 2.5 percent.

That increase would bring in an additional $90 million a year, based on conservative forecasts, Columbus Auditor Hugh J. Dorrian said.

But the city's budget gap for next year is projected to be $100 million to $120 million.

SWACO priced a menu of services for a city budget task force late last year. The budget situation has given traction to the authority's offer to take over some or all of the city's trash duties.

The city could pay for the services from its income-tax revenue. Or SWACO could levy a property tax directly to residents. The authority's executive director, Ron Mills, said it would not impose the tax unless city leaders requested it.

Mills thinks communities will see overall cost savings by regionalizing services.

Since the city stopped collecting yard waste, about 10,700 households have signed up for a subscription service that costs $99 a year. SWACO could provide that for less than $17 a year if all 230,000 Columbus households were served.

"It would no longer be a case of some communities having services and others not," Mills said. "And it would help financially, because nonsubscription would spread out the cost over many, many more users."

SWACO is eager to offer such services because such an arrangement would prevent its landfill, a $1 billion asset, from filling prematurely with leaves, newspapers and aluminum cans.

"It's worth taking a look at, sure," said Dorrian, a proponent of recycling. "I like to think in terms of regionalizing the service. You can achieve efficiencies."

Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman is considering the offer, as well, said his spokesman, Dan Williamson.

The proposal also is starting to catch on with neighborhoods. The University District has invited SWACO to meet with representatives from other area commissions.

"This is important to us," said Ian MacConnell, chairman of the University Area Commission. "If you got everybody involved in recycling, not only would you save money at the landfill, you will bring down the price for every household. And you will change the culture."

His group voted in April to urge Columbus to look into a recycling program for every household if it raises taxes or imposes a trash fee.

The meeting with SWACO and city area commissions is open to the public. It will take place at 7 p.m. June 3 at the Northwood-High Building, 2231 N. High St.

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