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Girard seeks renewal of garbage levy in May
GIRARD
City residents are being asked to vote on a 1.5-mill garbage levy in the May 5 primary election.
A majority vote is needed to pass the five-year renewal levy that would raise $170,778 annually.
The levy would begin this year with funds coming due in 2016.
“The people of Girard have really appreciated the service,” Mayor James Melfi said.
Garbage levies are nothing new to the community. In 1976, the city introduced the first levy after it decided to have the garbage picked up all at one time.
Melfi said the idea was to have one garbage pickup day, one company to do it and one price.
“The benefit is uniform garbage pickup on Fridays,” he said.
There are five levies for garbage pickup that are valued at $442,649 each year. Voters originally approved the levy in a vote in May 2010.
“They provide an excellent service to the city,” Melfi said, adding that previous levies have passed by wide margins.
Although the city does not offer curbside recycling, the city does have recycling bins at city hall for interested residents.
The city has a garbage contract with Republic Services of Youngstown. Melfi said they receive one of the lowest rates in Trumbull County, at about $10.30 per household per month for garbage services.
“We’re very pleased with their service,” he said.