VALDOSTA —
Recycling will be picked up at the curbs of Lowndes County residences and solid waste will be hauled off after county commissioners approved one of six waste-management options Tuesday during the regular session of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners.
The new plan will replace the county’s voucher system, which enabled residents to drop off waste materials at a collection site for $100 a year. The old plan didn’t raise enough revenue to make its continuation feasible, according to commissioners.
Commissioner Richard Raines said his family pays for the voucher each year and $30 curbside pickup each month. He said the selected the proposal awards the most values.
The approved “Option “D” is the best option because it will represent significant savings, said Raines. “It covers everything, from bulking yard items to solid waste. I don’t think it can be easier than for someone to come into your driveway and pick all of it up for $13 a month.”
Other proposals included options with the onus falling on the county, the future contractor or the recycling center itself. Other variants of the trash plans mandated that the selected contractor manage the removal of all of the county’s waste, while others featured a non-exclusive clause for whatever
company wins the bid.
In other county business, commissioners approved the following agenda items:
•A public hearing was held for the rezoning of the property between Pecan Plantation Road and U.S. 84 west, with the intent of creating a mixed zone.
•A request to repair the pumps at the Bevel Creek Lift Station was heard. Replacement pumps would cost $57,444, while repairs would cost roughly $48,000.
•Waterline size increases to Alapaha sub-division were considered. A developer wished to cultivate two lots in the sub-division, but it is obligated to supply the lots with county water.
• A beer license for Naylor’s Pantry, located at 8777 East Highway 135, was considered. Ownership requested that alcohol consumption be allowed off premises.
•The issuance of revenue bonds, in order to refund some or all of the two outstanding bonds from 2003 and 2005, was considered. The two bonds were issued for the Lowndes County Judicial Complex and the county's water and sewer projects.
For more on this story and other local news, subscribe to The Valdosta Daily Times e-Edition, or our print edition.
