A Macon-Bibb County committee approved a plan Tuesday to increase the residential cost for garbage and recycling collection countywide.
The measure, approved 3-1 in the commission’s Operations and Finance Committee, is set to be heard by the full commission next week.
The committee recommended the fee change as part of a new solid waste master plan aimed at providing more efficient services. The change also would impact who picks up garbage for some residents.
The new fee, which would go into effect in January if approved, would provide a countywide rate of $20 a month. Currently, people inside the former unincorporated Bibb County pay $12.75 a month while residents in the former Macon city limits pay $15 a month.
The plan also involves extending an agreement for 60 months with Advanced Disposal, which would collect residential waste and small yard waste countywide. The company now picks up garbage for residents living in the former unincorporated portion of the county.
Some commissioners say they’re worried about the fee increase and how it could impact about 70 employees of the Macon-Bibb County Solid Waste Department. Commissioners Elaine Lucas and Bert Bivins said it appears that by contracting out residential collection, it likely would lead to downsizing.