Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Amended garbage rate increase OK’d
DAVENPORT — City Council begrudgingly approved an amended update to the contract with Sunshine Disposal for garbage services in the City while also approving resolutions trying to modernize City functions Wednesday, April 24.
Sunshine Disposal’s contract with the City was set to expire this year, and the company originally proposed a 19% rate increase, citing inflation and supply cost rises.
The City asked if Sunshine Disposal would consider spreading that rate increase out into multiple increases, one of 10% and one of 9%, which the company agreed to.
This comes after a separate 5% rate increase in January, so many councilmembers still felt unhappy with a 10% increase, which takes effect in the June billing cycle.
“I don’t like being put over the barrel like this,” councilman Mike Wilkinson said.
Mayor Jonathan Chapman said the City had “plenty of opportunities” to have further conversations with Sunshine, which sent representatives to two council meetings in March.
“They followed our request to spread out of the 19% (increase),” councilman Lance Strite reasoned.
The vote to approve the amended solid waste contract was unanimous, despite frustration from multiple members.
After completing the legal notification period of 30 days for a utility rate increase, a 10% fee increase will be input. The separate, 9% increase comes during the 2025 budget cycle, according to council meeting documents.
In moves that were much more popular to Council, members unanimously approved a motion awarding the construction of the Ross Street waterline replacement project to TEK Contracting of Davenport, which had the low bid price of $95,348.45.
Council also approved an agreement with Xpress Solutions, Inc. which will allow the City to begin paperless billing and online bill pay, allowing residents to pay their utility bills online with a credit card.
The City hopes the cost of setup will be largely offset by a reduction in postage and envelopes for those who opt to pay online. Automatic bill pay will be an option, Chapman said.
Council also approved an agreement with TextMyGov for citizen communication, which will allow residents to text the City and opt into receiving pertinent text results from the City regarding street closures, water repairs, power outages, emergencies and more.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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