AUGUSTA, Ga. () – Augusta leaders are sitting down, talking trash.
“I’ve had a lot of questions and comments from constituents about this and I’m not ready to move forward until I get an understanding of what’s actually being proposed,” said Commissioner Jordan Johnson.
What is being proposed is those who want to recycle need to make a separate deal with the hauler, Coastal Waste and Recycling, and depending on the level of service, that could add $178 to the trash fee.

Commissioner Rice said she’s being bombarded with emails opposing it.
“A few are feeling like they shouldn’t pay anything, that they should be after what happened that they have taken that time to recycle, they feel no they do not need to be paying anything. I hear that. I hear them. I hear their frustrations,” said Catherine Smith Rice.
But expect more frustration. The city administrator is recommending a $75 trash fee increase to $395 dollars a year that would go on this year’s tax bill.
“Do you like that?”

“Ha, not me. I’m one of the few people to say let’s see what you can do with the money that we have,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Guilfoyle.
The administrator told commissioners the increase would provide funding for vacant lot cleaning, blight demolition and mosquito control. Some commissioners feel that’s a tough sell.  
“And they’re asking what do I get out of it? Basically all you do is say your trash is getting picked up and somewhere else, a house is getting torn down,” said Commissioner Brandon Garrett.
Commissioners are facing a middle of August deadline to agree on the new trash fees.