Soddy Daisy Keeping Same Garbage Collection Service
The city of Soddy Daisy bids out garbage collection services each time a contract expires. The current contract was for five years and the city and its residents were happy with the services and responsiveness it has received from Capital Waste Services during that time. Two companies submitted bids for the contract going forward and the lowest bid again came from Capital Waste for the next five years.
This contract includes providing a new component with large capacity, 96-gallon cans for each residence. The new price is a two-and a half percent increase from the cost currently being paid. If a resident needs a second can the company will provide it for an additional $7.25 per month, or the homeowner can use their own as long as it is compatible with the equipment on the trucks. The garbage cans will be delivered to each residence by July 1 when the new contract begins.
The city’s side mowers are in constant use all day five days a week, said City Manager Burt Johnson. Buying a new mower was planned for next year, but Public Works Director Steve Grant found one with a large cost savings. A new mower from Dickson County Equipment that is currently in stock is available for $122,200, which is a savings of $50,000 from the price if the city waits to buy it in the upcoming budget. The council did not want to pass up the savings and gave approval to purchase that in-stock mower.
Final additions are being made to the city’s new judicial building at the city hall complex. A three-dimensional sign to mark the entrance to the courtroom will be made using the city’s logo. Approval was given to have the sign produced by 41 South Creative at a cost of $3,344, plus a $680 design charge and the cost of installation.
At the end of the fiscal year, the city’s budget is being amended to account for unexpected expenses that took place during the year. That amended amount is $251,000 for 2025-2026. City Manager Johnson said it is a small in relation to the city’s overall budget of $16 million. There was no use of the fund balance this year.
In his report, Mr. Johnson said the city has applied for a TDOT grant to pay for new signalization at two intersections in 2018. At that time the cost of the project was $350,000. Now that has increased to $850,000. Funding for the additional amount will come through the Regional Planning Agency, it was stated. New traffic signals will be installed at the intersections of Thrasher Pike and Daisy Dallas Road as well as the intersection of Old Dayton Pike and Sequoyah Road.
Keep Soddy Daisy Beautiful, the group of volunteers that work in partnership with the city, had a very busy week around the time of Earth Day. A new pollinator garden was dedicated and the Tennessee Aquarium conducted a workshop about the importance of pollinators. Volunteers, both in groups and individually, combed the side roads, parks,and the lake looking for and removing litter and trash large and small. Statistics showing the accomplishments by the 225 volunteers who were divided into 11 teams include the removal of 259 total bags of trash, 78 tires and 80 large items such as couches, mattresses and beds.
That day there was also a large recycling event in collaboration with the city with 170 households participating. They brought approximately 860 tires (7.98 tons), 6,000 pounds of electronics, shredded 4,000 pounds of paper and the police department and sheriff’s office collected prescription medications.