PARKER — Council members want a single company to handle all of Parker’s garbage services.
“When you only have one throat to choke, you need to make sure you have a good contract,” said Mayor Richard Musgrave.
Councilman John Haney has been gauging interest of narrowing the six garbage haulers operating in Parker to one. In doing so, he hopes to cut down on wear and tear on public roads while possibly gaining additional revenue for the city in the process, he said during Tuesday’s council meeting.
“It’s pretty obvious we need more money coming into the city, that is a given,” Haney said. “With 2,500 residents that could be a (city) revenue of $10,000 to $15,000 a month and that’s easy money.”
Companies provide services for between $20 and $25, and the city allows companies to operate in Parker for a 5 percent franchise fee. By contracting with one service provider, council members hope to generate revenue while cutting cost to residents. The idea would be to bid out the contract and the lowest bidder’s cost to get from house-to-house would decrease since routes would be contiguous.
A sole trash hauler would also cut down on traffic and maintenance on city roads, Haney said.
“On any given day, you have four or five trucks out there,” he said. “They beat the roads up pretty good.”
However, council members raised concerns of small business being outbid by larger companies.
“The thing I don’t like about one vendor is we’d be cutting out local operations,” said Councilman Ken Jones. “Only vendors with resources and manpower would be a nationwide company.”
Two companies responded positively to the idea and the four remaining haulers have not responded. The council directed Haney to continue pursuing options.
“If we can get the rate where citizens only have to pay about $19, I think that’s a win/win,” Musgrave said.
Council members also:
— Heard the first reading for a comprehensive overhaul of language within the city’s Land Development Regulations.
— Discussed city employee complaints about the tax-payer-funded insurance policy with Aetna Health Insurance in attaining cardiac diagnosis or medication.