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Bluff City adopts ordinance updating garbage collection rules, sets $23 monthly fee
Summary
The Bluff City Board of Aldermen approved Ordinance 2025-008 to amend municipal code provisions on trash storage and collection, standardize city-owned 95‑gallon cans and set the monthly residential garbage fee at $23.
The Bluff City Board of Aldermen approved Ordinance 2025-008 to amend portions of the Bluff City Municipal Code governing storage and collection of garbage and to set the monthly residential garbage fee at $23.
The ordinance, read aloud at the meeting by staff member Fry, updates code language on container storage and collection and anticipates issuance of city-owned cans. “All trash will be bagged and placed inside the can,” Fry read from the ordinance language during the discussion. The ordinance was moved by Alderman Malone and seconded by Alderman Johnson; the board voted to approve the measure.
The change clarifies that city-owned cans will replace the smaller 20- and 30-gallon containers previously allowed, and council members discussed spelling out enforcement details so residents and the town’s contractor, Cox, understand pickup requirements. One alderman said the town should make explicit that “if it's not bagged, it will not be picked up,” arguing that writing the requirement rather than leaving it implied would aid enforcement. The ordinance text includes a bagging requirement; the board and staff discussed adding language to confirm non‑bagged material will be left uncollected.
Council members also noted a provision distinguishing properties inside the town limits from parcels outside the town: property owners whose parcels are outside the corporate limits have an option about collection that in-town residents do not. The board discussed that the charter assigns the city responsibility for trash removal for properties within Bluff City’s limits.
Action taken: the board approved Ordinance 2025-008 (motion by Alderman Malone; second by Alderman Johnson). Recorded votes included Alderman Payne — yes; Alderman Malone — yes; Alderman Key — yes; Alderman Johnson — yes. The ordinance establishes a $23 monthly garbage collection fee and standardizes use of city-owned cans; staff and the town’s contractor Cox will coordinate enforcement and any refining language.
The board moved on to other agenda items after announcing approval.
