City leaders extended the contract for garbage collection services for the next month while negotiations continue over money.
However, one city alderman said it's time to ask that Waste Pro stick to its end of the deal when it comes to job performance.
"I know, along with my constituents, that we are not satisfied with Waste Pro," said Alderman Sir Jonathan Rucker, during Monday's special call meeting. "The services have not been great. They haven't picked up garbage like they are supposed to. If we are going to continue this service and pay all this money, the least they can do is give our citizens great service."
Rucker said if Waste Pro can't provide adequate services, perhaps the city should consider doing its own garbage collection services again. The city of Yazoo City contracted its garbage collection service to Waste Pro over a year ago.
"We pay Waste Pro a pretty penny," he added. "But we are not getting great service."
Mayor Diane Delaware said the city continues its negotiations with Waste Pro over the cost of its collection services. She added that any concerns over their performance will also be discussed in the midst of that negotiation. However, she said the last thing the city needs is to return to collecting its own garbage.
"Going back into the trash business is an extremely expensive endeavor," Delaware said. "Our cost now with Waste Pro is lower than when we did it on our own, and their service is better. We simply were not very good in trash pickup. Much of that may not be known by our aldermen, but we received calls every day."
Delaware said the city also sought for other proposals from other companies but did not receive any others. She also said the city cannot handle its own garbage collection services with its current fleet of trucks or lack of mechanic services available.
"We don't have the mechanical service to handle the trucks we have already got," she said. "One thing we cannot do is trash pickup."
Rucker said he would vote in favor of approving the contract with Waste Pro, but he would like concerns to be brought to the table when it comes to negotiation.
The city council approved extending the contract with Waste Pro for 30 days while negotiations continue.
