Weds Jan 31: Taxpayers Still Looking for Budget Cuts & Process Improvements

Plus: Owen Sound will ask Meaford and Georgian Bluffs to chip in on $21,000 Miller Waste payment for increased costs of transporting recycling

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In case you missed it, Owen Sound City Council also approved a recommendation from the Operations Committee to approach the municipalities of Georgian Bluffs and Meaford, asking them to share in a payment of $21,000 to Miller Waste. The payment is apparently needed to offset an increase the private contractor has experienced in operating expenses due to failed negotiations with a company called Circular Materials.

Councilor Jon Farmer asked the obvious question: Why are we on the hook for a private company’s unwillingness or failure to negotiate?

Councilor Marion Koepke stated, “I think we need to tell it like it is. Millers found that people were saying they’re going in with recycling and meanwhile, they had a bag of garbage with them. So they dispose of their recycling, and put their garbage there, as well. And they weren't paying for that. So, things have caught up with themselves.”

Confused? Me too.

There’s no suggestion in the January 18 ‘Recycling Convenience Depot Miller Transfer Station’ staff report that this request from city staff via the Operations Committee is a penalty for people sneaking garbage into the transfer station.

Anyway, Deputy Mayor Greig responded that while we’re not privy to those discussions between the businesses involved, it has been a “bumpy road” for Miller with Circular Materials.

How that rough road between external corporations became the taxpayer’s burden to shoulder is still unclear, but here we are.

Do you have any insight into or suggestions for improving Owen Sound’s recycling and waste management systems? Share your thoughts in a letter to the editor.

Before we get to news headlines, I have to ask:

~ Miranda

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