Cochran council approves recycling contract, raises tax office fee and renews employee health plan

Cochran — The Cochran City Council on Feb. 10 unanimously approved a contract with Ryland Environmental to provide citywide recycling services, agreed to raise its annual payment to the Bleckley County Tax Commissioner and renewed employee health coverage through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Council records show.

Ryland Environmental representative Michael McWhirter presented rollout plans that included route maps, service days, communications procedures, a recycling sign‑up process and work order handling. Council members discussed logistical issues during the transition, including courtesy go‑backs for missed collections, cart replacement and distribution of digital route maps. Council Member Lonnie Tedders made the motion to approve the contract; Council Member Trecia Gardner seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

The tax commissioner proposal increased the city’s annual payment for property tax services from $18,000 to $25,000. Council discussed the county’s reported improvement in collection performance and administrative efficiency before approving the increase by unanimous vote; the motion was made by Council Member Lonnie Tedders and seconded by Council Member Gary Ates.

On employee benefits, the council reviewed a proposed 3% premium increase for Anthem plans and voted unanimously to renew coverage while absorbing the estimated cost so employees would not see higher payroll deductions. Council discussed estimated employee impacts of roughly $15 to $45 per pay period depending on plan selection, but voted to keep employees whole for the upcoming plan year; Council Member Shane Savant made the motion and Council Member Gary Ates seconded.

Separately, council approved professional services work: it authorized two proposals from Carter‑Sloope Engineering to prepare plans for the city’s water and wastewater systems and approved a Heart of Georgia Regional Commission planning‑services proposal contingent on confirmation of a 60/40 cost split with Bleckley County.

Votes at a glance
• Ryland Environmental recycling contract — Motion: Lonnie Tedders; Second: Trecia Gardner; Outcome: Approved unanimously.
• Bleckley County Tax Commissioner payment (increase to $25,000) — Motion: Lonnie Tedders; Second: Gary Ates; Outcome: Approved unanimously.
• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield renewal (3% premium increase absorbed by city) — Motion: Shane Savant; Second: Gary Ates; Outcome: Approved unanimously.
• Carter‑Sloope Engineering proposals (water/wastewater) — Motion: Shane Savant; Second: Gary Ates; Outcome: Approved unanimously.
• Heart of Georgia Regional Commission planning services (60/40 cost‑sharing contingent confirmation) — Motion: Gary Ates; Second: Shane Savant; Outcome: Approved unanimously.

What comes next
Ryland’s rollout timeline, specific service start dates and cart distribution details were discussed but not finalized in the meeting; council and Ryland staff indicated the city will communicate specific service days and maps to residents during the transition period. The Carter‑Sloope work will proceed under the city’s budgeted planning for EPD compliance and five‑year assessment cycles.