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Scottsburg council hears resident complaints over sanitation opt-out and billing as city begins tote rollout
Summary
Residents told council they were denied an opt-out from new sanitation service and raised billing concerns; city staff said state statute allows a flat sanitation charge and described operational rollout and worker injuries.
A Scottsburg resident told the City Council on June 8 that she was told she could opt out of the city's new sanitation service but later was informed she could not and would be billed anyway.
The complaint came during the public-comment portion of the meeting, when Tina Cozart said, "I was told before this even started, the time that was in the paper was I could opt out no problem. So when I got my key in, I asked I called in to the city to city hall and said, hey. I'm opting out." Cozart said an initial city response allowed opt-out but follow-up calls said she could not opt out; she said city staff did not return calls she expected.
City staff addressed the council and public after the comment period. A staff member explained the city's approach to sanitation billing, saying the municipality can set a flat sanitation rate and that residents who remove a cart still will be charged. "You can opt out a can. If you want us to come get the can, but you are gonna be charged for $10," the staff member said.
Why it matters: the change moves residents from bag or sticker systems to uniform carts and a flat monthly rate, affecting household utility bills across Scottsburg.
City staff also described the operational rollout of new gray carts and the staffing model for the service. Mayor (unnamed at the meeting) said he rode with Sanitation Supervisor Zach during the first week of the program and described both progress and safety incidents: he recounted a past injury when a worker was hurt on the route and said the city is training three CDL-certified operators to run the new trucks. "Zach is taking charge of the entire, sanitation," the mayor said, noting the crews' training and mechanical changes that are intended to speed pickup and reduce injuries.
The mayor said the pilot crews were able to complete routes faster than expected; he described one ride-along in which a crew completed pickup for 320'350 houses by early afternoon. He also noted past on-the-job injuries city employees have experienced and said the new equipment should reduce those risks.
No formal action was taken at the meeting on individual billing disputes. The staff member told Cozart that, if a resident refuses to pay the sanitation charge, the city can pursue collection and has historically prevailed in such suits.
Council members did not change policy at the meeting; the discussion was limited to public comment and staff explanation. Residents with billing questions were invited to follow up with city hall for account-specific answers.
The council's sanitation rollout is expected to continue; staff said the city will monitor participation, complaints and operational performance and report back to the council as needed.
