The City of Syracuse is phasing-out licenses for waste haulers that holds them accountable to operational standards. City auditor Alexander Marion thinks it’s a bad idea that will lead to unnecessary traffic delays and truck noise in neighborhoods during quieter hours. Marion said the city’s relatively new uniform trash carts program should require an updated set of rules for haulers.
“…That requires waste haulers to operate between certain hours so they're not blocking rights of way during rush hour and other times of the day, and I think that that is an important courtesy we owe to our neighbors and to businesses.”
The city auditor findings are a part of a nearly 300 page online report. Marion said the Walsh Administration agrees with many of the recommendations. However, the continued regulation of trash haulers is not one of them.
“If you get the license, not only do you need the license as a business, but each one of your vehicles individually needs its own license to operate. However, the administration has stopped issuing those, even though it’s still on the books.”
Marion said he feels his suggestions will lead to better transparency for residents by improving technology and how information is shared. He said revenue from the city’s licensing system has dropped a staggering 80 percent. An audit shows the city brought-in $170,000 dollars in 2017 and only collected $40,000 dollars last year. Marion calls the system both antiquated and outdated.
He also said updated changes will lead to better enforcement and collection of business licenses and fees to boost city revenue for the general fund. Click here to view the city auditor’s report.
