AUGUSTA, Ga. — Augusta city leaders are once again discussing changes to the city’s garbage service contract, with plans to implement new fees and services that have sparked debate among officials and residents alike.

The city’s current proposal calls for an annual trash collection fee increase of $36, bringing the total fee to $440. This marks a significant reduction from the initial proposal, which had suggested a nearly $120 increase. Despite this drop, some city leaders and residents remain concerned about the overall cost and the potential impact on services.

“We’ve gotten this fee down to about $70 cheaper than what it was before because we don’t want folks to have to pay more money for less service,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson, emphasizing the city’s goal of balancing affordability with necessary services.

However, the new plan has drawn criticism from various quarters. One notable change under the proposed contract is that residents would need to sign a separate contract with their waste hauler if they want recycling services. This shift has led to frustration for those who feel recycling should be included in the standard trash collection package.

In addition to the cost increases, the proposal also seeks to allocate part of the trash fee for other services, including street sweeping and building demolitions. While this could help cover a broader range of city maintenance needs, some commissioners have expressed concerns about shifting the financial burden to residents.

“We should be able to provide the service to the citizens without having to increase it. The vendors are actually keeping their numbers low,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Guilfoyle, who has argued against any fee hikes.

As part of the new contract, the city is considering hiring two different contractors for garbage and recycling services. However, some officials are skeptical of this approach. Guilfoyle suggested that the city should explore other options, including rebidding the contract to find a single provider capable of handling both waste and recycling services while keeping costs down.

“One provider can’t handle the workload in Augusta-Richmond County. The department has said that and I believe that,” said Commissioner Johnson, supporting the idea of splitting the services between multiple contractors.

Despite the months of discussions, the trash service contract is still far from finalized. City leaders are continuing to explore potential solutions to ensure that Augusta’s waste management system meets both the needs of its residents and the city’s budgetary constraints.

With the matter still up for debate, it remains to be seen whether Augusta will find common ground on the trash service contract, or if further revisions and discussions will be necessary before a final decision is made.