The Ellis County Press: Ferris poised to lose $300,000 annually

Ferris poised to lose $300,000 annually
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Megan Gray on 10/20/2011 11:42:00


FERRIS – The loss of $300,000 annual income from Waste Management to the city
of Ferris was a topic of concern during the Monday, Oct. 17 council meeting.
The city of Dallas passed a resolution on Wednesday, Sept. 28 for all trash in
the city to be sent to the Dallas owned, McCommas Bluff landfill.
Ferris, home to the Waste Management owned Skyline Landfill, generates several
thousand dollars a year in revenue per tons of trash disposed at the facility.
With the city of Dallas’ new proposal, any current contracts Waste Management
would have with the city will be terminated as of January 2012. Eliminating
additional revenue for the city and generating a shortfall on their budget.
“We have been aware of this possibility for over a year and have been taking
necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition,” said City Manager Eric Strong.
“Our projections are that this will ultimately reduce our host fee revenue by
25 percent.  That is equivalent to $300,000 per year.”
Rick Losa with Skyline waste management presented the council with an overview
of what they are trying to do to help remedy the situation and loss coming into
fold.
“The waste within the city of Dallas is a very competitive market with 14
landfills inside the DFW metroplex,” said Losa.
Currently, Waste Management is looking for innovative ways to generate more
revenue.
“In about 30-45 days, I will come back and present some various solutions we
at Waste Management have come up with to help recover the additional revenue,”
said Losa.
Skyline predicts they will lose 250,000 tons of waste.
“This passed ordinance isn’t common and the justification is time will tell
how things play out.”
A workshop was conducted to discuss ways the city could cut back on expenses and
council agreed to not fill the Chief Building Official position left vacant by
Tim Rawlings firing and to combine the Animal Control Officer position with the
Code Enforcement position.
Strong said additional discussion will be held during the second council meeting
in November or the first meeting in December.
“We partnered with Waste Management and look forward to the innovative ideas
you [Rick Losa] will be bringing us to help solve the situation for both our
city and your facility here,” said Mayor Rick Barrett.