Andalusia residents could soon see an increase in garbage fees, if an ordinance proposed Tuesday night is approved.
Mayor Earl Johnson said for every $1 the city spends on sanitation, it is only recovering 75 cents in garbage fees.
“The City of Andalusia provides weekly hobo trash removal, and we have plans to expand to pick up more of what we call litter,” he said. “To do that, we’ve got to have the revenue to pay for it.” To cover the approximately $988,293 it spends annually picking up garbage, trash, and spraying for mosquitoes, the council is considering raising residential pickup fees to $20 per month, and increase of $5 per month.
For business establishments, fees will be set based on the number of pickups per week:
For five pickups per week – $329.
For four pickups per week – $264.
For three pickups per week – $199.
For two pickups per week – $132.
For one pickup per week – $67.
The ordinance also sets fees for the city’s landfill at $2 per hundred weight with a minimum charge of $20, with appropriate permits. Those who are subscribers to the city’s garbage service may dump appropriate items at the C/D landfill if they present a current copy of a garbage bill.
The price for special pickup of tree limbs, trees, old appliances or similar materials will be $91 per load.
A council can only pass an ordinance after a second reading, unless the council votes unanimously to suspend the rules. The proposed ordinance amends the existing ordinance for garbage and trash collection and landfill fees.
Johnson said city officials also are looking at the cost effectiveness of its curbside recycling program, and is considering changes in the future.
According to a fact sheet provided to council members, only 25 percent of the city’s 4,274 garbage customers participate in curbside recycling. The program costs approximately $200,000 per year to operate.
Andalusia Star News
The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce is collecting information from musicians interested in performing in the third July Jamz Summer Concert Series.
“We have applications available at the Chamber,” Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said. “We are trying to get information together about who is interested in performing and what kinds of music people want to hear.”
Duffy said the Chamber has already heard from some really good bands who are interested in performing. “Every summer, after we get started, we end up hearing from people who want to perform,” she said. “If you want to participate and perform, now is the time to let us know so we can try to participate and fit it in the line-up. We have to know soon what our budget needs to be, so we can begin fundraising to bring it all together.”
The information needed includes contact information, a description of the music, members’ names, instruments, lighting and sound requirements, local ties to the community, and fees.
For additional information, contact Duffy at or 334.222.2030.
Andalusia Star News
Andalusia Star News
Cookies coordinator Kiley Spears, right, with Sara Rose Sanders.
Kiley Spears was tired and frustrated Saturday.
Spears, who produces Meredith’s Miracles’ Cookies with Characters each year, had just finished her 11th consecutive show.
“Not many people realize how many many many hours goes into planning and setting up that size of an event,” she said. “From recruiting 121 kids to play the characters, 73 sponsors, down to the small details of making sure each and everything is set up. It takes months to plan and days to set up.” And then, she got feedback that someone was disappointed.
“It was pretty disheartening for me,” she said, “even though I understand that I can’t please everyone.”
It was about this time that Sara Rose Sanders approached Spears. Read More>
Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson and City Clerk John Thompson are shown talking with Public Works Director Glynn Rawls Tuesday afternoon about the handicapped ramp being constructed this week in front of Clark Theatre.
The ramp is one of many improvements being made as the historic theater is being totally renovated. The once three-story building will now have two levels, with two theaters downstairs and one upstairs.
The renovation includes adding new restrooms and moving the snack bar facility in the lobby, as well as the changes to the theaters. New seating also has been installed, including some reclining seats. On the street beside the theater, the sidewalk will be widened, and traffic will become one-laned. Interior renovations are almost complete, and the theater is expected to reopen in April.
Andalusia Star News
The Andalusia City Council is considering changes in sanitation in Andalusia. Under the proposed plan, the monthly cost to residents and businesses would increase $5 per hobo or “wheeled container,” per month. The cost to the city for removing trash, garbage and lawn debris is almost $1 million each year. Current fees only account for about seventy – five percent of sanitation costs to the city. The proposed changes would recover the expenses and provide more litter control in Andalusia.