HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001 11 26 Regular D Garbage Service Fees
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COMMISSION A,GENDA
ITEM D
CONSENT
INFORMATIONAL
PUBLIC HEARING
REGULAR
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11/26/01
Meeting
REQUEST: The General Services and Finance Departments request that the City
Commission determine if any changes are warranted regarding the collection of garbage
service fees during a customer's extended absence from his residence, such as vacation
periods.
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PURPOSE: This agenda item is to request a determination by the Commission
regarding the city's current policy of collecting garbage fees on a continual, year-round
basis, or should the policy be changed by ordinance to allow some form of forgiveness of
those fees during periods of extended absence by the customer"
CONSIDERATIONS:
Casselberry Yes
Lake Mary Yes
Longwood Yes
. Oviedo Yes
Winter Park No
Seminole County No
I" In May of this year, it was discovered that, without Commission approval or
legislative authority, there has been a long-standing practice of forgiving
garbage fees for residents on extended absences from home" That practice
was stopped, and a resident has complained"
2" A survey was conducted among surrounding communities and Seminole
County to determine their practices:
Garbage Fees Under What Conditions and
City/Seminole County Forgiven For What Period of Time
Altamonte Springs Yes Must Coincide with Water Account
Shut Orf Period; Must Be for One
Month or More
(Same as Altamonte Springs)
Upon Request; Customer Expected
to Advise City Upon Return
(Same as Lake Mary)
(Same as Lake Mary)
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November 26, 2001
City Commission Regular Agenda
Item "D"
3" In Winter Park and Seminole County, residential garbage fees are based on
an "availability of service" concept.
4" Where fees are forgiven during extended absences, nothing is lost or gained by
the city or the customer because the garbage contractor
bills the city based on a customer count. The city derives that count from
actual billings that are issued by utility services personnel to
the residents on a monthly basis" IN WINTER SPRINGS, HOWEVER, THE
CONTRACTOR BILLS THE CITY BASED ON A OUARTERL Y ROLL OF
GARBAGE ACCOUNTS, SO AN INDIVIDUAL LEAVING ON VACATION
WITHIN THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF A QUARTER WOULD HAVE FEES
FORGIVEN DURING A PERIOD THAT THE CITY STILL PAYS THE
CONTRACTOR FOR COLLECTION"
5" Although we could tie forgiveness of garbage fees to the shut off of water
service, we still have several garbage customers who do not receive water
from the city, and there would be no way to monitor a customer's return.
RECOMMENDATION:
Due to the nature of our billing, staff recommends that the City Commission
make a determination to continue the practice of charging garbage fees on a year-round
basis"
FUNDING: Undeterminable at this time"
ATTACHMENTS:
COMMISSION ACTION: