Instead of costing the city money, Mayor Swearengin’s plan to use a private company for the service could bring in $2.5 million per year. That goes a long way to cut into the $18.5 million remaining budget gap.
Opponents of the plan say that privatizing will cost the city more than can be found in a dollars and cents equation. There’s a value to the service the city provides, and by outsourcing that service, opponents argue it leaves residents vulnerable to rate increases or changes to service.
From CBS 47 KGPE:
Public utilities and public works took center stage during budget workshops held at City Hall on Wednesday.
As part of Mayor Ashley Swearengin’s plan to close a projected budget shortfall of $18.5 million for fiscal year 2012, she’s asking the city council to privatize the city’s commercial solid waste service. A similar proposal was rejected back in January. The move would generate millions of dollars in franchise fees for the city’s general fund, Swearengin said.
“We’re down to the last $18.5 million dollars. There are very few easy choices left,” Swearengin said.
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