They cost city taxpayers more than two million dollars and create a hassle when it comes to street parking -- they're street sweepers.
Sure, they make the community look pretty but are they really necessary, especially when they cost a staggering sixty-two dollars per mile to operate?
In tonight's community report, News Three's Alice Massimi dug deeper and has some answers.
For 17 years Nathaniel Castle has driven a street sweeper.
“I’m on Habersham now turning off of 65th,” says Castle into a walkie talkie while riding through Savannah.
He's one of 17 employees in the Street Cleaning Department.
It’s a service that beautifies the city but also carries a hefty price tag.
According to city budget documents the street cleaning department costs taxpayers roughly two million dollars every year; sixty two dollars a mile to operate during the day and close to forty dollars at night.
“A lot of the time it’s due to a lot of overtime,” explains Department Head Willie London.
A high price but one London adds is necessary.
“It eradicates blight and it also helps eliminate flooding within the city.”
That's because if the street sweepers didn't pick up load after load of leaves and grass clippings they would all end up in the drainage system... clogging it up and causing many more scenes like this after a hard rain.
‘Because there are so many leaves I may have to come back to 2 or 3 times,” points out Castle.
It’s the cost of doing business - something homeowners will have to ante up for until they change their sometimes dirty ways.
All residents need to do is properly dispose of their yard water... it would allow street sweepers to cut down on overtime and help prevent flooding.
The city says they are working to educate people.
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