City no longer has dump site; could save $10K a year 

 

SALUDA—The City of Saluda is contemplating ceasing its leaf collection for residents.  

The Saluda Board of Commissioners met Monday and heard from City Manager Jonathan Cannon.  

Cannon said every year the city does leaf collection in the fall and this year will be difficult because the normal dump site is no longer available. Saluda is moving its maintenance building to Chestnut Street, which is where the leaves are normally dumped.  

Cannon asked the board how it wants to proceed with commissioners saying they want the city to do a little research before making a final decision. The research will include how much it would cost to have a contractor haul off the leaves and finding an alternative site to dump them.  

Cannon said currently the city is paying $7,700 plus fuel and repairs to the machine so the total cost to the city annually is approximately $10,000. The city collects leaves with a street vacuum that was purchased in 1999. The city has been doing leaf collection for about a decade.  

“I’d personally rather see that $10,000 go to potholes and street repairs,” said Saluda Mayor Fred Baisden.  

Commissioner Stan Walker said if the city did stop leaf collection, the city would have to send notice to everyone in the city.  

Cannon said the city does not pick up sticks or stumps, but does pick up leaves.  

“It’s an interesting service that we offer,” Cannon said.  

Commissioner Leon Morgan said it does not sound like the city has a choice but to stop the service.  

Cannon said Saluda could ask a contractor to haul off the leaves. Most council members said that service would likely cost double what the city is paying now.  

Baisden said Saluda should do a little research and find out what it would cost to haul leaves off site. He said he’s talked to a few people on the subject and most said they could just take their own leaves to the woods.  

“We have to do what we have to do,” Baisden said.