By Carolyn Reid
Discussion on the Tuesday, November 7, Falmouth City Council caucus had focused on garbage, a bid, a cemetery, and other expenses. Five members of council were present at the beginning with Councilperson Bob Pettit being the only one absent. He came into the chambers later, presenting election results that showed he had won.
Mayor Sebastian Ernst presented numbers that he said proved trash collection was losing money to the amount of being $42,000 in the hole. He said other departments were funding garbage pickup, and that should not be the case. He also said the $42,000 did not reflect the involvement of the office employees and their pay. He said city employees were doing trash when they could be doing other things. For these reasons, Ernst recommended the council look into contracting Rumpke to do city garbage and discontinue city services.
Price asked how many employees were in the maintenance department, and Ernst answered six total, with two doing garbage. Price asked what the other employees were doing. Ernst replied one was hurt, others had been doing working with meters and other duties. Price responded the other four could be installing the new lights and fire hydrants.
Ernst continued by saying outsourcing the garbage could turn the loss into a profit. Hazen then asked what benefit would outsourcing would provide the city and if it would remove restrictions on garbage such as the one-time per month pickup of large items. Ernst replied it would be finished in one day by Rumpke. City hall would take care of billing and that was all.
Price asked for the potential expense, and Ernst said the reports are manipulated to say garbage is making more than it really is. He also said if the city charged $16 per hour, garbage would break even. Rumpke, he insisted, could generate profit.
Audience member Tammy Johnson asked where the money comes from to fix the truck when it breaks down, and Price answered, “Reserve.”
After some discussion regarding salaries—according to Price, the salaries for garbage pickup was inflated at $86,000 with Darrin Gregg being part-time, so he questioned the amount being paid out by the city—the council discussed the idea of percentages for each duty they perform so the correct funds could be allocated toward their salaries. Price disagreed and said the city needs a structure. Ammerman asked how much was paid into retirement, and Ernst responded a KRS set that at 25 percent.
Price continued by saying Rumpke has two drivers and makes garbage work, and the city cannot continue this way.
Sealed bids were opened for the fire hydrant project with a bid from Pro Innovations in the amount of $146,520 and with Allender Enterprises, LLC bidding $186,371—both totals for the hot tap and then the other hydrants. Councilperson Amy Hurst requested the bids be emailed to all council members so they could see the bids before the vote next meeting.
The American Legion had requested the city deed over the lots surrounding the property, cemeteries they had cared for for years. The council will vote on this action next meeting. Hurst asked for the letter to be shared electronically with council.
The mayor reported the roof on the school center was finished, and a state inspector did a walk through. The cost of bringing the electricity up to code was $5,000.
Carson asked when the bridge lights would be up, and Ernst said the problem was manpower. Hazen asked about a to-do list, and Hurst said the council needs reports from department heads to hear what they have been doing.
After more discussion about duties and what could and could not be outsourced, Ammerman asked about the water study. An inaccuracy was found as the water districts received the study, and Ernst stated water meters had been flipped for several years. That was being rectified.
Carson asked about bids on street paving, and Wright stated the bid process ended that day. Carson said she felt the streets should be prioritized, and Pettit said speed bumps needed to be discussed for some streets.
Carson asked about the Klee property, and Ernst said the portion to be sold had been surveyed at 7.5 acres. The offer for the property was $50,000. She then asked about the plan for the school, saying she wanted costs before the money is spent. Hurst asked for a plan to be unveiled to council, the steps, prioritized, of what needed to be done.
The November regular meeting will be held Tuesday, November 21, at 7 p.m.