×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Not Competing A Wise Choice

Government officials are notorious for competing with the private sector. But Steubenville officials have found that in some situations, that does not pay off.

During a discussion last week of the municipal budget for 2020, Steubenville Finance Director Dave Lewis told city council members progress is being made in reducing the sanitation department’s longstanding spending deficit.

Not counting a one-time $100,000 expenditure to replace the Public Works Building roof, the department’s budget next year will reflect a deficit of only $400,000, Lewis reports. That certainly is not desirable, but it is far better than the $700,000-level the department has been experiencing.

A substantial part of the savings results from city officials’ decision to stop offering commercial dumpster service through the sanitation department, Lewis told council members. Henceforth, private sanitation companies will provide the service for large-scale customers.

At one point this year, city officials discussed an entirely different approach — mandating that Steubenville commercial customers use the city sanitation service rather than private haulers. That would have required a substantial investment in equipment.

Simply turning the whole customer base over to the private sector was a wiser decision, both for customers and taxpayers. City officials deserve praise for going that route.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today