After several complaints, Sparta Aldermen voted Thursday night to stop collecting White County landfill fees from residents and commercial businesses.
City Mayor Jerry Lowery said in a previous agreement with the county the city charged residents $5 and commercial businesses $14 per month. The fees had been collected as part of a charge to the monthly electric bill. Lowery said the city sent about $15,000 to the county last month, despite the county no longer owning the landfill.
They’re having to go pay to do that, this $5 fee that we’re charging, they’re getting nothing for it,” Lowrey said. “And so I personally think we need to stop charging it because they’re not getting any service for it.”
City Administrator Tonya Tindle said city attorneys evaluated the contract and determined it is void. The city will have to renegotiate with the county.
“We’ve had the discussion with Denny Wayne [County Executive Denny Wayne Robinson], over the last couple of months, he said the money is being used to run the convenience centers,” Tindle said. “But the city of Sparta already has a convenience center at South Carter that the county does not run.”
Alderman Brent Young said the city should protect city funds, adding a retroactive clause to the resolution. Lowrey said taking this precaution would not be necessary.
“I don’t think they can go back and get retroactive pay if we end it tonight,” Lowery said. “I mean because there’s got to be a whole ‘nother negotiation process with the county now.”
Tindle said the contract between the county and city was created in 1988. Tindle said it should have been revisited many times at this point, contributing to the document expiring.
Lowery said the city plans to renegotiate with the county, speaking with officials about funding options for White County convenience centers.