TIFTON — The Tifton City Council is considering a reformatting of the services provided by solid waste contractor Ryland Environmental.

During the Dec. 16 city council meeting, Ryland representative Aaron Sowa presented council members with proposed adjustments to the solid waste program provided by the contractor, which would expand their ability to provide waste services to the city, but at an increased cost.

Sowa explained that the revised plan would allow for the limits on yard waste and bulk items to be doubled, respectively increasing them from four cubic yards to eight and five items to ten.

However, both would also be given restrictions, with Ryland refusing to pick up yard waste longer than six feet or wider than six inches in diameter and mandating that loose items meant to be picked up in bulk would need to be boxed or bagged.

Were the city to be interested in these revisions, Ryland would require the purchase of an additional truck and the employment of an additional driver to cover the extra workload, as well as a five year renewal on their contract with the city.

Sowa estimated that the adjusted plan would cost the city $21.23 each month per curbside can and added volume of bulk items and solid waste, about a $3 increase from the existing plan.

Due to Ryland’s presentation being added onto the agenda during the process of the meeting, the council will need to wait until next month to vote on the suggested adjustments. Council members also planned to discuss the rescinding of their increased fees for Ryland’s services and landfill tipping, which they approved last month, but elected to move the discussion to January as well on the recommendation of mayor Julie Smith, who hoped to consult the matter further with city attorney Rob Wilmot before coming to a decision.