County mulls higher-priced recycling contract

The Kaua’i County Council is considering a county administration request that would result in two new county employees and a renewed, costlier recycling contract with Garden Isle Disposal.

In a memorandum dated June 2 from Wally Rezentes Sr. to the council, the mayor’s top assistant explained what three benefits would accrue from passage of Bill 1992:

– “Provide sufficient funds to upgrade our present half-time abandoned vehicle coordinator’s position to full-time.” The cost of that request would be $12,204.

– “Provide for a much-needed clerical position” in personnel at a cost of $21,948.

– “Provide additional funds for our Kaua’i Recycles Program. The additional funds requested through this appropriation will be added to other existing funds to meet our estimated new contract obligations to Garden isle Disposal. The revised estimated annual cost of the contract will amount to $265,245. The estimated monthly increase will be $1,918. The cost of this request is $15,245.”

According to the bill, $49,397 in funds needed for the proposals would come from money recently distributed by council to the county-owned Wailua Golf Course.

In late April, the county administration leaked a memo to The Garden Island about Garden Isle Disposal’s rate increase that said the request, approximately $1,900 per month, was out of line. As late as May 11, the county and Garden Isle were $1,800 apart.

But the two sides negotiated, and this bill, which received a preliminary approval last Thursday from the council, would give Garden Isle Disposal almost exactly what company president Scott Kouchi said was required when discussions began two months ago.

A public hearing on the matter is tentatively set for July 26.

Staff writer Dennis Wilken can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) and mailto:dwilken@pulitzer.net