The Salem City Council Monday night will be asked to give DBS Disposal the full $1 per month surcharge for each home to offset rising costs of the garbage collection.
The city council earlier approved a 50-cent a month increase, but City Manager Rex Barbee says DBS has now shown the impact of rising costs on disposing of the trash and feels the $1 a month increase is justified. Without the full increase, DBS was considering opting out of his contract. DBS noted increases in cost for fuel, lubricants, transfer fees, and miscellaneous expenses. Barbee is recommending the city council approve the $1 per household per month increase retroactive to the March billing cycle. The surcharge will be removed when diesel goes back below $4.75 a gallon.
The council will be asked to approve a $208,600 bid from Utility Safety and Design to replace gas lines on Winners Circle and portions of Lakeview Estates, including Circle Drive and Lakeview Drive. The materials for the replacement were purchased earlier.
The council will be asked to increase the cost of grave lot sales, openings, disinterment and weekend rate differentials. Rules would also be changed to allow placement of additional ornamentation only around specific holidays due to the additional work created for mowing crews.
An ordinance change will receive further consideration to implement a terminal fee structure for video gaming machines for 2023.
The council is being asked to keep its $36,000 loan to the American Legion in a second position so they can receive additional loan funds from Marion County Savings Bank. The council is also requested to allow the new owner of the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Salem to keep a business incentive agreement in place.
The agreement provides a rebate of 90-percent of the local motel tax which is due to expire next year.
Mayor Nic Farley is recommending the appointment of Greg Jones to the Planning Commission, Jennifer Dice to the Library Board, and Jason Smith to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
The meeting begins at six Monday night at Salem City Hall.
