First, the principle:
I believe that if the City provides a service that all of the people (Or a significant majority) show that they want it and the city decides to provide that service; then all of the citizens should pay for it. If the City decides to provide a service that a only a few or a minority of the citizens want then those citizens who use the service should pay for it and the city should at least break even on the deal.
This has been my argument for operating the golf course, for fixing storm water projects for the 119 citizens out of 17000; or that those who want "Valet " rear yard trash service should bear the extra cost for servicing their house, just as they do now for the hauling of bulky items, white goods or service more frequently than once per week.
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However, arguments about "Valet" trash service to the contrary have been presented to me, and following I would like to present those arguments with my response to them. As they say, Read it and you decide.
I noted that Allied gets paid for picking up trash and recycling bins once per week at all of the 5020 houses in Creve Coeur but in reality because 59% of the residents do not choose to use the current rear yard service Allied gets paid $211,000 per year for "Phantom" pick ups and some $33,000 per year for Recycle bin "Phantom" pick-ups.
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The Argument: Allied has already figured these "Phantom" pick ups in their monthly fee bids.
Answer: Allied steadfastly refuses to provide the data on the actual number of Phantom rear yard and recycle bin pick ups. If Allied had done the above wouldn't you think they would be providing the data and showing you what a "Great Deal" CC is getting? Why would they give this info to their competition when good old CC is willing to pay for all the pick ups?
The Argument: We have old people who cannot handle the trash to the curb.
Answer: Allied will (And does now) do rear yard trash and recycle pick-up for the truly disabled even though recycle is only paid for the curb. The city should allow to pay Allied for truly disabled single person households.
The Argument: It is a quality of life issue not the lowest cost trash pick up.
Answer: $250,000 per year in "Phantom" pick-ups and/or $5.93per house per month times 5020 houses = $350,000.00per year in citizen tax extra expenditure is a quality of life issue.
The Argument: The citizens approved a 1/4cent tax increase to pay for rear yard pick-up there fore we are "entitled" to it.
Answer: Money is fungible. I would certainly argue for the Council reducing taxes for this tax that was passed with deceptive "Blackmail" of the last administration. They contended that either pass it or lose your FREE trash service. This was Donna Dill and "Creve Coeur Cares" at its finest.
The Argument: We pay taxes for schools, parks, leaf pick-up and even Police that not all people use.
Answer: At one time or another in our lives the majority of the people use these services to one extent or another. This falls in the category of since all or most of the people will use these services all of the citizens should pay for them.
Where the government is involved there are no free services. Keep the services to the minimum at the minimum cost and if any group desires better service or higher levels. let them pay a fair price for it.
Thank You for reading
R.W. Kent Greengate Subdivision, Ward IV
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