A public hearing is scheduled for next week at the regular Jefferson City Council meeting.

The City Council approved to schedule a public hearing at their January 23rd meeting about issuing up to $1.7 million of general obligation bonds. City Administrator Scott Peterson says the bonds would cover the estimated $917,050 road resurfacing project on East Lincoln Way and $728,940 for a new compact garbage truck for commercial pickup and a new automated truck for recycling, along with 1,500 green rollout carts for residents, just like the blue rollout carts for garbage.

“The main change here is that we would be going to what’s defined as ‘single-stream recycling.’ Within that green rollout container, go ahead and put all of your recyclables (in it). And then everything is picked up with the automated truck and dumped into the truck where it is then hauled to a different location.”

Peterson points out that as a member of Metro Waste Authority, sanitation crews will take the recyclables to Metro Waste’s facility in Grimes. He explains that because this is an expense for street and public works equipment improvements and upgrades, the city can issue an essential corporate purpose bond not to exceed $1.7 million by vote of the council. Peterson says the city would levy property taxes through the debt service levy, which residents won’t see much of a change in their overall tax rate.

“It’s going to be very similar to where it’s been because there’s some debt that rolls off every year. And then we’d be adding in some additional amount to it.” 

Peterson adds the bonds would be paid back over ten years. The public hearing is set for 5:30pm on February 13th at the City Hall Council Chambers.