Waste management issue among items discussed during public meeting in Humboldt

HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — Humboldt had a public hearing meeting prior to their mayor and board of alderman meeting. The upcoming fiscal year budget was approved, however, the approval fee for schedule for customers waste collection system was not voted on.

“I have had so many people come to me and are very upset at my vote, because when I got to their house you can’t see their yard,” said city alderwoman Julie Jones-Coleman.

Residents have spoken to their alderman prior to the meeting to share that they were not happy with the way their representatives voted.

One resident spoke during the public hearing because they were concerned for those who could not afford the $40 per month for the waste management fee.

“I think that it went very, very well because they voted no. So, they will come back to the table and they’ll make it work in another way. Of course, we need to pay collections fees and things do go up, but this was not a necessary hike,” said Chase Thomas, resident of Humboldt.

It was voted 4 to 1 to not establish a fee. For residents, this would total to $480 a year and for commercial businesses it would total to $648 dollars a year.

This fee, however, does not include the bulk pick up that a resident who moves or renovates would have to use.

Although this was not voted on prior to the meeting on Monday night, a contract was already signed by the City of Humboldt.

Currently, the City of Humboldt does not have a city attorney to help them with legal matters. The budget has been approved, and in the budget there was not a fee that would cover the alleged amount that waste management will now need.

“The mayor had legal advice from M-Task and the county attorney. It was a couple of attorneys involved who gave him legal advice,” said McNeal.

Residents and businesses may have to continue to pay the $40 or $54 dollars a month. This, however, is a win for residents as the city budget did not have a tax increase and there is still work to be done to settle the waste management contract issue.

“The vote tonight shows the public that we hear their voice and we are concerned about our senior citizens, widows and our elders. We’re going to try to get our legal people involved to see if we can lift that burden up off of them,” said McNeal.

Aldermen also voted for new hours for city police officers, a yes vote for the Westside Drainage Project–which will give $250,000 to the community with flooding problems–and a grant for safety equipment to first responder departments.

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