Sanitation employees and dozens of residents pressed Elyria City Council on Monday to retain the city’s municipal sanitation service as councilors weigh changes intended to cut costs.

The sanitation representative who addressed council, identified in the meeting as Mr. Small, said his crew handles difficult work starting at 4 a.m. and warned that private contractors would not provide the same scope of services. “They’re not gonna do that,” Mr. Small said, adding that municipal crews collect items other contractors would refuse and that many employees depend on the work to support their families.

Council members and residents echoed his appeal. Councilman Armstrong said he regularly visits routes and told Mr. Small, “I appreciate you and all 23 other members of the sanitation department,” and added that the service performs tasks—like door‑to‑door assistance for disabled residents—not commonly offered by private firms.

Several residents gave public comment urging the council not to privatize sanitation. Larry Clipstein, 959 Oakwood Drive, said he collected more than 300 supportive responses on social media and warned that private vendors often charge per large item and leave trash when payments are delinquent. “If you think you're going to save a nickel or dime, people don't complain about their garbage pickup on their bill,” Clipstein said.

Council members acknowledged financial pressures and said they were exploring options. Councilman Oswald noted the city needs to consider residents who struggle to afford new charges, and other councilors said any change could ultimately raise costs for some households.

No vote or formal directive to change the sanitation service was taken during the meeting. The discussion included requests for further analysis of costs and impacts to residents, and multiple council members urged staff to factor vulnerable residents into any proposal.

The meeting did not include a formal report from a city department recommending a replacement vendor or contract terms; Mr. Small and multiple public commenters asked council to preserve the existing service model.

Looking ahead, council members indicated they will continue to evaluate options and listen to constituent feedback before any action is taken.