Convenience Centers May Soon Accept Debit and Credit Cards

Commissioner Will Beattie (Post 1), responded,

“I’m not scared off completely by a $50,000 investment in it because, if you look at when we went to the idea of privatizing, Advanced (Disposal) was going to put quite a bit of money into setting it up. But, they knew it would pay off over a number of years…I don’t think we’re going to be out of the garbage business in a year.”

At the June 16th meeting, the Board of Commissioners delivered an update on the convenience center trash disposal service. On April 4th, convenience centers started to charge $1 per 32-33 gallon bag for trash disposal. Previously, disposal costs were paid through property tax. In April, FYN reported the county would investigate ways to accept credit/debit cards at the convenience centers—currently, centers accept cash and correct change only. At the meeting, Jim Smith delivered the results of that investigation. In his report, he gave a cost estimate for installation of card readers and money acceptors at county convenience centers.

“Cost per unit,”

he said,

“range from $6600 to $7600; that is just for the equipment.”

Mr. Smith added,

“That does not include any kind of retro-fit that we would have to do for the buildings; that does not include wiring, installation, or telephone lines or anything else.”

The total estimate for installation of card readers and money acceptors at all seven centers could be as much as $50,000. Commissioner Will Beattie (Post 1), responded,

“I’m not scared off completely by a $50,000 investment in it because, if you look at when we went to the idea of privatizing, Advanced (Disposal) was going to put quite a bit of money into setting it up. But, they knew it would pay off over a number of years…I don’t think we’re going to be out of the garbage business in a year.”

Beattie also requested figures on installation, which Smith’s estimate did not include. Smith said the option of purchasing pre-paid cards was also available. The pre-paid option, though, still requires research.
The Board also discussed recyclables. Commissioner J.C. Sanford suggested the county purchase a walk-in trailer where residents can deposit their recyclables. According to Sanford, the trailer can be hauled for $35 a ton. This price, however, is contingent on one provision: that the county provides the tractor to haul the trailer, which the county does have in its possession.
Also, Commissioner Danny Hall (Post 2) requested the 90 day trial period report, which expires the first week of July, be completed within the established timeframe. Hall’s request seemed to have the citizens in mind, keeping the Board’s promise of giving a report on the convenience centers within the 90 day trial period. Sanford and Beattie, however, felt that an extension to this period is necessary.

“We shouldn’t lock ourselves into that 90 days,”

Sanford said,

“We should actually take the time to put together good, hard, solid figures.”

At the end of the 90 days or extension period, the Board will decide whether to continue or discontinue the current convenience center arrangement. Consensus among members at the meeting, though, was that, despite a few minor issues, such as signage and card readers, the convenience centers in the hands of the county are a success.

“We’re doing good so far,”

Commissioner Beattie said, a feeling shared by the rest of the Board.

Convenience Center Update / 90 day report is due from Fetch on Vimeo.