CAIRO — Trash talks resumed among Grady County officials regarding the county’s consolidation of garbage collection sites. 

Commissioner June Duke Knight raised the issue about the collection sites at Tuesday’s regular meeting. 

Site consolidation, moving from 42 collection sites to seven “super-sites,” began in July, with the 20th Street site serving as the pilot. 

Commissioners and others also noted dumping still occurs outside or on the side of collection sites. 

“I don’t think there’s a foolproof solution to it,” said Charlie Norton, former commissioner. 

Stanley Elkins, Grady’s road superintendent, said the biggest issue is with the appearance of sites as the sites are not equipped with supervision. 

“It’s going to take manned sites to make it look better,” he said. 

Elkins also noted the City of Whigham is in “bad need” of an area to put garbage as dumpsters were removed from Whigham School. 

Betsy McGriff, Archway Partnership professional, said a study is being conducted through the Carl Vincent Institute of Government at the University of Georgia regarding site consolidation.  

The study, McGriff pointed out, will look at the cost of maintaining the county’s 42 unmanned sites, cost and county-wide benefits of door-to-door pickup, and the cost of site consolidation, among others. 

Norton, noting the possible closure of the City of Cairo’s landfill, said a millage increase was possible regarding garbage as the county would possibly partner with a neighboring county for collection.

“We need to put a premium on recycling in this county,” said Peter Wright, addomg recycling would cut the amount of garbage going to the collection sites and the city’s landfill. 

Laura Register also spoke in favor of recycling. 

“I think it would be a good time to start educating the public and the benefits (of recycling),” she said. 

Chairman Ray Prince said recycling was started in Berrien County 10 to 15 years ago, but did not produce efficient results. 

Site consolidation discussions began back in May. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826. 

In other business, the Grady County Board of Commissioners: 

• Approved ratification of verbal approval for selecting Perry L. Henry for 2017-19 auditing services with bid totaling to $130,095. 

• Approved Judicial Technology Solutions program for Grady’s magistrate court for $3,420. 

• Approved silt fence purchase for $6,357.75. 

• Approved a trencher rental from Rental Equipment and Sales for $2,968.50 per month. 

• Ratified verbal approval for dividing up former County Administrator Carlos Tobar’s duties to County Clerk Carrie Croy and Finance Director Donna Johnson until a replacement is found; a $500 a week increase also was approved for Croy and Johnson.