The Engineering Department appealed to the Augusta Commission last week asking for a rate hike on garbage services throughout the county. If it comes before the full commission, it should be roundly voted down.
Director Hameed Malik told members of the Engineering Committee that the annual garbage fee should be raised to $375 so that the landfill can keep operating at normal capacity.
Thankfully, the committee tabled a rate hike for now, but we can expect it to come up again soon.
This is yet another example of why homeowners continue to flee Augusta for neighboring North Augusta and Columbia County where the cost of owning property is far less.
Columbia County charges $264 a year for bi-weekly service and Malik wants to charge $115 dollars more for once a week pickup. It is no wonder that Malik lives in Columbia County.
Augusta commissioners love to harp on about millage rollbacks while raising rates and tacking on fees. It is the classic sleight-of-hand.
The Augusta Landfill used to be a profit generating center for the city, but now the city has had to pony up millions of dollars to replace equipment and despite the fact that the landfill is seriously mismanaged, every employee received a raise using American Rescue Plan funding.
Now, they want even more money.
We urge the commission to deep-six any talk of a rate hike until an operational audit of the landfill is completed.
