SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The city's curbside recycling program was terminated by a resolution of the Hopkinsville City Council. On September 30, the ordinance will become operative. Plans to contract with outside recycling service providers were also reviewed in the Council's Tuesday meeting.

Earlier, an ordinance was enacted to discontinue the curbside recycling program run by the Hopkinsville Solid Waste Enterprise. Participation in the program has been modest. Operating the program has been costing Hopkinsville Solid Waste about $230,000 annually, according to estimates.

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Some locals voiced their disapproval of the Council's decision to end the program, advising the authorities to take public opinion into account and obtain comprehensive program information before reaching a final decision.

In order to allow for additional community feedback, Council Member Travis Martin moved to postpone the vote for 60 days. Nevertheless, it was not approved because, according to Melissa Clayton, the city's chief financial officer, Hopkinsville Solid Waste would have to pay almost $50,000 to continue the program for another two months.

A price increase was one of the solutions that were investigated. The monthly service fee would need to be raised to $32.50 in order to support 1,082 members, which is significantly more than the present $5.50 monthly fee.