Tonganoxie delays curbside recycling decision, approves pay increase for city administrator
Estuardo Garcia
Online polls indicate that people want mandatory recycling in Tonganoxie, but Tonganoxie City Council members want to allow more time for public input before making a decision on whether to add curbside services.
An online city survey garnered 75 votes. Of those voting, 56 percent want mandatory curbside recycling, which would be an additional $2.25 per household. There were 39 percent who preferred voluntary recycling, which would cost an extra $4 for each household that opted in. The final 5 percent didn’t want any new services.
The Mirror’s online poll had 125 votes: 61 percent wanted mandatory and 24 percent voluntary. Another 7 percent were fine with their current recycling options and another 6 percent don’t recycle. The Mirror’s online poll notes that it is not a scientific poll.
Council members personally voiced the importance of recycling but weren’t ready to make a decision.
Honey Creek’s Randy Weldon said the company would add glass to its accepted recyclables list in late October. It also takes about three months for a recycling bin order to be ready.
That time frame helped shape the council’s decision to hold off a month to make a decision.
Council member Bill Peak noted Honey Creek’s regular services would stay flat for the next three years also.
McCommon gets salary increase
City Administrator Nathan McCommon will be receiving a bump in pay.
The council approved 4-0 extending McCommon’s contract for another year. His new pay will be $89,500 effective retroactively to his hire date anniversary, which was May 14. It’s about a 7 percent increase from his current salary ($83,500).
“I’d just like to say I think the council really appreciates the job you’ve done, Nathan,” Mayor Jason Ward said shortly after the council approved the pay increase. “You’ve hit the ground running and you’ve done a good job moving us forward.”
McCommon also receives an annual automobile allowance of $4,800 and a 2 1/2 percent contribution to a deferred compensation retirement account, as well as benefits.
“You’re fair to everyone who walks through the door,” Ward said to McCommon. “I think the public appreciates that.”