Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sanitation Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council pauses switch to three-day trash schedule for 60 days
Summary
After weeks of equipment failures and staffing gaps, the council voted 6–0 to pause a recently adopted move from a four-day to a three-day residential trash schedule for 60 days and revert to the established four-day pickup during that period.
The Helena-West Helena City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to impose a 60-day moratorium on a recently adopted change to a three-day residential trash collection schedule and to revert to the prior four-day schedule while operational issues are addressed. Council member Miss Miller moved for the pause, and Mister Saint Columbia seconded; the roll call recorded six yes votes. Mayor Pro Tem explained the city had published schedules and planned the change effective July 1, but equipment failures, staff injuries and limited spare trucks have prevented reliable execution. He told the council the system is "fragile" and that any single failure can disrupt a compressed three-day route. Council members said the pause gives sanitation staff time to service trucks and stabilize routes. No repeal of the ordinance was enacted; the moratorium suspends enforcement for 60 days and can be reversed or formalized by future council action. Council members also discussed maintenance and staffing: the mayor pro tem said the city currently has two mechanics and that the sanitation division has been operating with limited staff and vehicles. Council members asked that management provide a clear maintenance and staffing plan during the moratorium.
