Carroll County Solid Waste Director Roger Miner presented an updated contract agreement between Carroll County Waste District and the city of Eureka Springs at the April 27 council meeting. Miner explained he was hired by mayors and county officials last fall to review and update trash service contracts across Carroll County.
Miner played a role in establishing the current trash and recycling program in Eureka Springs during the 1990s, when Eureka Springs adopted “pay-as-you-throw” and recycling programs that shaped the current system.
“One major difference between the old contract and the new one is that the old contract included an elaborate, permanent citizen task force. That originated during the city’s first attempt to contract a private party for trash and recycling services, which was controversial and led to many complaints and meetings. That contract ended early, but the need for a citizen committee became clear.
“That group helped support environmentally friendly service approaches and eventually contributed to the formation of the Carroll County Solid Waste Authority, which is a legislative sanitation district. The authority then became the service provider and expanded across the county, eventually becoming the current solid waste district that contracts with all cities.
“The task force stopped meeting around 2008. While that might sound concerning, it actually reflected success. When the solid waste authority took over, we prioritized direct customer relationships. We visited every business, documented their needs, and tailored services accordingly. We committed resources to customer service, ensuring complaints were addressed quickly. Over time, the need for a formal task force diminished because issues were handled directly and efficiently.”
Some questions were raised about an exclusive rights provision. As a result, council voted to defer approval until a legal review could be completed. It was confirmed that there are no changes to rates, services, or pickup schedules.