Because of rising fuel costs and the need to fund other needs in solid waste management, once-a-week garbage collection is back on the table for Columbus Council.

"The time has come to look at some alternatives," Ron Smith, assistant director of Public Services, said Tuesday after presenting a plan to the 10-member council. "Here is an alternative that may help us out on fuel costs."

With 1,153 vehicles in the Consolidated Government's fleet, the $3.8 million fuel budget for fiscal 2008 that ended June 30 was overspent by $853,348, or 18 percent. Of that total, the Sanitation Department overspent its $620,000 budget by $262,000, or about 42 percent.

Residents now pay a $14 fee for monthly garbage collection, which would not change if the service is cut.

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