Loss of Recycling Grant Could be Costly to DPW

Greenfield residents do not have to worry about any disruptions in their garbage and recycling pick-up, at least for now.

Part of Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal that was unveiled yesterday removes the requirement that a municipality or county operate a recycling program to manage solid waste and eliminates a financial assistance program for local government recycling programs.

Greenfield would lose approximately $200,000 in recycling grants in 2012 under Walker’s proposal. Recycling, in this instance, encompasses leaf pickup in addition to cans, bottles and cardboard items.

The city currently contracts out curbside garbage and everyday recycling out to Veolia Environmental Services, and has a contract with that company through the end of the year that costs single-family homes $155 per year for the services.

According to Mayor Michael Neitzke, the $200,000 recycling grant has gone into the city’s operating budget and covered the salaries of approximately 2.5 employees of the city’s Department of Public Works, which is responsible for leaf pickup in the fall.

“As it stands now, because we did receive the grant this year, leaf collection and everything will remain the same as it has been,” Neitzke said. “Going forward into 2012, because that $200,000 isn’t available anymore, and because our contract (with Veolia) expires, we’ll have to investigate alternatives to figure out how we’re going to continue to cost-effectively continue the services.”

Neitzke said it was still unclear if the loss in the grant money also meant the loss of 2.5 full-time DPW positions.

“It’s a real concern,” he said. “The (budget) bill says I can’t raise the (tax) levy $200,000 to supplement the operating budget that pays for those employees. It’s unclear if there will be enough savings from the tool kit that is being provided because that still hasn’t been finalized.”

Neitzke said the city’s recycling program has been incredibly popular and hoped it would be continued in the future.

“It’s been kind of ingrained in the culture and it’s a good thing to do,” he said. “I don’t’ think anyone disagrees with that. The question moving forward is how much does it cost to do that and how’s it going to be paid for.”