To the Citizens of Natchitoches Parish:
While change can be challenging, it is often essential for progress and long-term improvement. It is easy to maintain the status quo. Parish President John Salter has carefully analyzed the current waste disposal operations for Natchitoches Parish Government (NPG) and the City of Natchitoches (City). His review has revealed that NPG can realize significant savings by moving operation of the transfer station and hauling and disposal of parish garbage “in house”.
Currently the operation of the NPG’s transfer station and the hauling and disposal of NPG’s garbage are performed by Waste Connections Bayou, Inc. Waste Connections Bayou, Inc. (WCB) is a Delaware corporation and a subsidiary of Waste Connections US, inc., also a Delaware Corporation. Therefore, the profits realized by WCB are transferred to the parent corporation, Waste Connections US, inc., and not only leave the parish, but they also leave the state. When NPG hauls and disposes of the garbage and operates the transfer station, these profits will be retained by NPG and will be available for repairs and improvements to the NPG’s road system.
While the contracts between NPG and WCB will terminate June 30, 2025, the contract between the City of Natchitoches and WCB is effective for a five-year period ending December 31, 2028.
The lease for WCB use of the NPG’s transfer station terminated at midnight on August 31, 2024. WCB was informed of the NPG’s intent to take over the waste operations of the parish at that time. The statement that this is a “rushed” transition is not correct. Significant issues in the respective contracts are as follows:
Natchitoches Parish Government
The initial term of contract between NPG and WCB was for three years, expiring June 30, 2023, but was extended to June 30, 2025. WCB shall obtain the landfill space required to complete collection and disposal. The initial landfill for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) disposal was the Sabine Parish Landfill with a stated round-trip distance of eighty (80) miles. WCB is responsible for payment of all disposal costs, including tipping fees. Disposal fees charged to the NPG were originally $31.00 per ton for MSW but are currently $34.89 per ton. President Salter has a firm offer from the Sabine Parish Landfield to accept MSW for $21.00 per ton. This is a savings of $13.89 per ton.
In addition to the per-ton disposal fee, WCB charges NPG a per load unit fee for the collection and transport of solid waste as follows:
• 40 cubic yard compactor box – $225.11
• 30 cubic yard Roll-off container – $225.11
• 6 cubic yard bin -$219.47
During the past twelve (12) months, NPG generated 7,349.95 tons of solid waste to be collected, transported and disposed by WCB at a cost of $727,249.75. ($256,439.76 for disposal fees and $470,809.99 for collection and transport of solid waste). Currently, the solid waste is being transported to Timberlane Landfield located at Oakdale, Louisiana at a total cost of $98.95 per ton. Timberlane Landfill is 160 miles round-trip from Natchitoches.
Since the distance from Natchitoches to the Sabine Parish Landfill is one-half (80 miles) closer than Timberlane significant additional savings in transportation costs would occur.
Furthermore, many operating costs will be paid to Natchitoches Parish residents and businesses to build the local economy, and the realized savings will be available to be used to repair and improve Parish roads; not sent to an out-of-state corporation to enrich shareholders who do not know where Natchitoches Parish is located and do not care.
City of Natchitoches
The City of Natchitoches (City) is currently contracted for WCB to collect, haul and dispose of MSW and Construction and Demolition Waste (C&D) within the City’s corporate limits. The current contract is in effect for the period January 1,2024 until December 31, 2028. The City and WCB agreed that the MSW and C&D would be disposed of by WCB at a landfill (s) chosen at WCB’s sole discretion (The Initial Landfill). The contract defines the Initial landfill as Timberlane Landfill, located at 1158 Landfill Road, Oakdale, Louisiana 71463.
In the event WCB is unable to use Timberlane Landfill due to reasons out of its control it shall have the right , upon written approval of the City, to dispose the solid waste at another landfill of its choosing and increase fees by the amount disposal fees increase and the amount transportation cost of transporting the MSW and C&D to such other landfill exceed those that would have been incurred if the waste was transported to the initial landfill. Prior to the City’s written approval, WCB agrees to provide the City with a cost comparison analysis of all available area landfills with contact information. Please note that any increase must be approved by the City.
The contract also provides for an “Operating Cost Adjustment” whereby WCB may petition the City for rate and price adjustments on the basis of material or unusual changes in its cost of operations. At the time of any such petition, WCB must provide the City with documents and records in reasonable form and sufficient detail to reasonably establish the necessity of any requested rate adjustment. If the City does not approve the rate increase, WCB may, in its sole discretion, terminate this agreement upon one-hundred and eighty (180) days written notice to the City.
Note that ANY PROPOSED INCREASE MUST BE APPROVED BY THE CITY.
President Salter’s statement that his plan “has no effect on the City of Natchitoches “ is correct unless the City approves an increase proposed by WCB.
WCB’s statement that NPG is eliminating the use of the transfer station is incorrect. NPG will continue to operate the transfer station after June 30, 2025. Likewise, WCB’s statement that it will be forced to haul City trash to a landfill much farther from the City than Timberlane is simply untrue. Nothing in President Salter’s plan will force WCB to stop hauling waste to Timberlane, where it is presently being disposed.
Like WCB, President Salter encourages all citizens to:
• Attend Parish Council meeting and be informed about the plans and projects of the Council.
• Ask the president and council members tough questions.
• Contact the president and council members to get information about the NPG activities and inform them of your problems.
The NPG works for the residents of Natchitoches Parish and strive to be transparent in all activities.
The long-term impact of implementation of President Salter’s plan is lower waste disposal costs, improved roads throughout the Parish by using savings for repairs and improvements, improved garbage service, and no impact on the garbage collection fees without City approval.
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