BENTON — Trash collection in Benton is causing a stink.
Benton is one of the shrinking number of Arkansas cities where independent haulers and big waste companies compete for customers and set varying rates. The city has no control over rates or services.
Alderman Greg White is leading an uphill battle at City Hall to change that and eventually establish curbside recyclingand mandatory garbage collection for all residents.
At least half of the City Council opposes the initial part of the plan, which would require garbage collectors to carry a certain amount of liability insurance among other regulations, arguing that it would hurt small businesses. The first ordinance of White's three-part plan is on the agenda for Monday, but some of his council colleagues who like the idea won't be there.
"It's a cultural thing," said White, who has worked for more than a year to overhaul garbage collection. "I had no idea how emotional it is to get change in something that seems so simple."
White said his plan would help clean up the city, which has its share of illegal dumping and trash hoarders.
But others see it as another way for government to squash free enterprise, particularly the requirement for trash collectors to carry $500,000 in liability insurance.
"I think it's a little bit ridiculous after 25 years in business," said Bonita Powell, whose family owns an independent garbagecollection company that operates across Saline County. "They are just trying to get rid of the little people."
Powell said she carries $300,000 in insurance coveragefor her Benton routes. Increasing it would be one hardship she says her company doesn't need.
White's plan would eventually lead to dividing the city into zones, bidding out services to a specific number of companies and putting the city in control over billing, with the ultimate goal of mandating trash pickup and offering curbside recycling. Those are still being reviewed by city committees.
The council is scheduled for a second vote Monday on the proposed ordinance that contains the insurance requirement. But the vote might not happen as two who previously supported the proposal will be absent from the meeting. It would need to pass on a third reading before taking effect.
The council voted 5-5 on the ordinance's first reading last month, with Mayor Rick Holland casting the tie-breaking vote in support.
"My main issue is I do not want to put any small businesses out of business," said AldermanSteve Lee, who voted against it. "We need trash haulers. They feed their family."
Already, the number of independent garbage collectors is dwindling as they are being bought out by bigger outfits.
Dennis Wills, executive director of the county landfill, said he thinks Powell's company may be the only independent trash hauler affected by the proposals since others already meet the suggested rules or are selling out to large companies.
White says his plan, which is modeled after those of other Arkansas cities, would ultimately lead to lower rates for many residents.
Alderman Charles Cunningham voted for the proposal last month but said he has since changed his mind about some of the specifics.
Ultimately, he wants to see collection become mandatory.
"That's what's important, to get some of the trash pickup in a systematic way, every household having pickup," he said.
Arkansas, Pages 17, 20 on 03/09/2008