Automated Curbside Sanitation Service

In 2008, the Public Works Department implemented a fully automated residential garbage collection system. This change was needed to reduce rising operational costs and prevent the need to increase service fees. the new way of collecting residential garbage utlizes a specially equipped truck to pick up, dump and return a 96 gallon cart to the ground. What used to take four employees and two trips to each residence, now only takes seconds to do by one person. A reduction in operational costs of 50% was expected and achieved.

• The City provides a standardized cart to each resident in one of two sizes, 96 or 45 gallon. Special service is offered to residents with a doctor verified and approved disability. Residents now roll their cart to the curb on the night before pickup or by 6:00 a.m. the day of pickup. The cart must then be returned to an inconspicuous place next to the residence so that the cart is not seen from the street. This eliminates unsightly bags by the road on collection day, odors from cans without lids, garbage strewn and blown around the neighborhood from animals getting into the trash. It also eliminated the need for a City employee to go on private property and the liabilities that exist when this is done.
• No changes to the number of times a resident is servce, still twice a week on Monday and Thursday. Holidays are not an issue as we continue normal operation on all holidays, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. In spite of the rising cost of fuel, disposal fees, wages and benefits, there has been no increase in the monthly fee charged for this service. 
• This, as well as other cost saving methods, are being considered and implemented to keep the trust of the community and to prove their tax dollars are being spent wisely. If you have questions that are not answered below, please call the Public Works Department at 983-1471, Monday thru Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and we will be glad to answer your questions.