Lake Wales restores prior solid‑waste pickup schedule with franchise ordinance

The City Commission approved Ordinance 2025‑06, which amends the City of Lake Wales code to grant a franchise for solid‑waste collection, recycling and disposal services and restores the city’s prior trash and yard‑waste pickup schedule.

Why it matters: The ordinance updates the city code to set terms, conditions and rates for city‑franchised solid‑waste service and undoes recent changes to pickup scheduling. Commissioners said restoring the prior schedule will improve predictability for residents but may require more work from finance staff to implement the change.

What commission and staff said Deputy Mayor Gibson commented that the ordinance “will restore the normal schedule” for solid‑waste and yard pickup and acknowledged it would “probably cause more work for our finance folks.” The ordinance text repeals several prior ordinances and provides for a business impact estimate, severability and an effective date.

Action and outcome Commissioners approved the ordinance by motion and roll call. The item was on the consent agenda and passed on an affirmative voice/roll call by the commission.

Implementation City staff will coordinate the franchise execution, rate setting and any operational changes needed to reinstate the prior pickup schedule. The ordinance includes standard franchise provisions; staff will follow the agreement terms and any notice requirements to residents.

Ending The council approved the code amendment to reestablish the city’s earlier solid‑waste pickup cadence. Operational and finance follow‑up was noted by commissioners but no additional policy changes were directed at the meeting.