Thousands of senior citizens could get a break on their garbage bills under a proposal under consideration in Gwinnett County.
More than 15,500 qualifying seniors could get a 15 percent break -- saving about $33 a year -- under the proposal, while about a select two dozen could get a 25 percent break.
One hurdle: the proposal would cost Gwinnett County and five private garbage haulers about $509,000 in revenue. County officials are negotiating with the haulers over whether to provide a discount and how to split the cost.
County commissioners heard about the proposal during a briefing on Gwinnett’s garbage service Tuesday. The briefing offered some good news for a county that has seen its share of controversy over garbage collection in recent years.
In 2010 Gwinnett changed garbage collection for about 186,000 households. Previously, residential customers in unincorporated Gwinnett could choose their own waste hauler from a list of qualified companies. Citing a need to standardize service, Gwinnett gave five companies exclusive rights to collect waste in different parts of the county and customers lost the right to choose a hauler.
Many residents objected to the loss of choice and to being charged – currently $217.92 annually – for garbage service on their property tax bill. Two residents and some haulers who lost business sued the county.
Gwinnett has won or settled numerous lawsuits over its trash service in recent years. A Superior Court judge dismissed the last pending lawsuit last month, ruling the county’s plan is legal. Robert Mesteller of Snellville, who filed the lawsuit, said he may appeal.
The county’s legal bill to date for the various lawsuits: about $220,000.
Despite the controversy and some early glitches, most Gwinnett residents appear to be content with their trash service. At Tuesday’s briefing, Deputy County Administrator Aaron Bovos said a December survey of nearly 4,500 customers showed 86 percent of respondents rated the customer service of their waste hauler as good or exceptional. Ninety-two percent rated the customer service of the county’s solid waste division favorably.
Bovos also told commissioners the county is in discussions with the five haulers about the possibility of senior discounts, which would be granted to those who meet certain income requirements. He said the haulers might be willing to bear some of the cost of the discount if Gwinnett extends their contracts, which come up for renewal in 2018.
Commissioner Mike Beaudreau said he has heard from many seniors seeking a discount. One rationale for a discount, he said: many seniors produce less trash than the typical garbage customer.
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