Scottsburg City Council approves new trash-collection ordinance

Scottsburg City Council approved Ordinance 2025‑1, repealing and replacing Chapter 78 of the Scottsburg Municipal Code on trash collection and sanitation services, on third and final reading at its March 2025 meeting. The council recorded a 3–2 vote in favor.

The ordinance updates the city’s rules on collection and sanitation services. Supporters said the code needed revision; opponents raised concerns that elements of the change could increase monthly costs for most residents and questioned whether American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds should be used for such changes.

Councilmember Rick Cozart moved to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance 2025‑1; a council member seconded. After brief discussion about potential costs to residents and the use of ARP funds for sanitation changes, the council approved the ordinance by a 3–2 tally. The transcript does not record a roll-call of how each member voted.

During discussion, at least one council member said that switching to automated collection or other changes could raise monthly bills for most households and questioned whether ARP funds are an appropriate source for those costs. Another council member responded by noting the municipality’s current sanitation practices but did not provide a detailed cost estimate on the record.

No specific effective date or implementation timeline for the ordinance was stated in the transcript. No formal amendments to the ordinance were recorded during the meeting.

The council moved from the trash-collection item to a separate first reading on electric rates later in the agenda.