The Gainesville City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to change the city's trash collection from twice weekly to once weekly at the curb, beginning on Jan. 23, 2023.
"We've been looking at our solid waste for the last 18 to 24 months, knowing that it wasn't sustainable with the rising costs," Gainesville City Manager Bryan Lackey said.
Lackey said it was the best possible option to keep the rate at the same level.
A medical waiver will be available for those unable to bring their garbage/recycling curbside.
Original story published Dec. 1, 2022, at 6:45 p.m.:
The City of Gainesville may soon change its trash collection from twice weekly to once weekly at the curb, beginning on Jan. 23, 2023.
According to a press release, the monthly fee will also be lowered from $25 to $15 for residents who use an extra 96-gallon garbage can.
The City Council will vote on the solid waste ordinance Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at their meeting in the Gainesville Public Safety Complex.
The idea was proposed at Thursday’s City Council work session by Public Works Director Chris Rotalsky. In a presentation, he explained the challenges faced by his department in recent years, which includes the Solid Waste Division.
“Gainesville has been especially proud to offer top-tier solid waste services for some time now, but unfortunately, the costs of providing that level of service is no longer sustainable with our fee structure,” said City Manager Bryan Lackey said in the release.
This comes with the rising cost of providing solid waste services. According to the presentation, a Garbage Packer truck cost $150,000 in 2009 and in 2022 it cost $300,000. To dispose of household garbage at the Hall County Landfill, Gainesville pays $60/ton, up from $33/ton – an 81% increase. It now costs the City double to dispose of leaves and tree limbs, $100/load up from $50/load, while rubbish disposal costs Gainesville $40/ton, up from $29.50/ton.
Gainesville Public Works is also experiencing staffing shortages. Currently, Public Works has 12 jobs posted, with half belonging to the Solid Waste Division. Positions include Solid Waste CDL Operators, Solid Waste Collection Workers, a Solid Waste Operator and a Solid Waste Route Supervisor.
The City of Gainesville collects up to 96 gallons of garbage from front doors biweekly. The proposed ordinance change would require waste to be brought to the curb for retrieval. However, for those physically unable to bring their garbage/recycling curbside, the City will make available and gladly accept medical waivers signed by healthcare professionals that will certify a customer’s need for continued front-door solid waste services.
Adjusted pick-up routes will be released in January 2023 and the medical waiver will be made available on Dec. 7.
