In other business
At the Flowery Branch City Council Thursday night:
Flowery Branch Police Chief Gerald Lanich presented awards for officers of the year. Officer David Jackels was honored as the officer of the year and Cpl. Eric Cook was named supervisor of the year. “They’re the type of people every manager wants,” Lanich said.
Mayor Diane Hirling also honored Public Works employee Lewis Duncan for his quick action to help save a fellow employee during a medical emergency.
Melissa Weinman
The Flowery Branch City Council mulled possible changes to the city’s garbage collection service at its Thursday night meeting.
The city currently has a contract with Red Oak Sanitation to collect garbage and recycling. The city handles billing and the Public Works Department collects lawn refuse.
Council members considered changing a city ordinance to offer residents choices for garbage disposal.
“Currently we have an ordinance that requires you to take city trash service,” said Councilman Craig Lutz. “Some may want to take it to a compactor site on their own.”
The council also hopes to take the city out of the billing process.
As it stands now, the city has few options when residents refuse service. In the past, there have been residents that run up expensive bills that they won’t pay.
“If a person doesn’t pay the city, we end up with uncollectable debt,” Lutz said. “That’s really not the relationship we want to be in.”
Flowery Branch’s contract with Red Oak Sanitation ends this year, and the city council may put sanitation services out to bid to keep prices competitive.
Council members would like to re-enter an exclusive franchise agreement to minimize the amount of large trucks on the streets.
“I think the city services should be reviewed annually or biannually to make sure we’re getting the best prices for the citizens,” said Councilman Kris Yardley.
Put simply by Councilman Chris Fetterman, “private industry can do anything better than government.”