Hopkinsville council repeals commercial recycling rate on first reading; staff told to seek vendor options before final vote

Hopkinsville City Council voted on Sept. 2 to repeal the city's commercial recycling rate ordinance on first reading, a move that would end the municipal commercial recycling rate currently codified at section 93.07 and set a timeline for ending city-run recycling if a replacement plan is not enacted.

Council member Amy (council member) moved the ordinance repeal and Council member Chuck (council member) seconded the motion. The ordinance passed on first reading; Council member Martin voted no, and the other members present voted yes. The clerk completed a roll call before the council declared the ordinance passed on first reading.

The repeal prompted extended discussion about how the city will maintain service for commercial and industrial customers. Brian (staff member) told the council that commercial customers would receive 30 days' notice before any change in service. Administration and council members repeatedly emphasized they did not want businesses to miss a day of service during the transition.

City staff reported there are about 159 commercial customers and 24 businesses located in the city's industrial park that currently receive recycling service. Staff further said the city's recycling operation has four employees and that personnel costs account for roughly 75% of the program's operating cost. Those figures were cited by staff during council questions about whether keeping commercial or industrial service alone would produce sufficient savings.

Administration representatives said the city will present options for the council to consider before the ordinance's second reading. Melissa Clayton (Chief Financial Officer) and other staff told the council they had been exploring alternatives including a franchise model (one contracted vendor), opening collection to multiple private vendors, or other third-party contracting. Under the franchise option staff described, the city would put a combined residential/commercial requirement in the bid if it wanted to preserve curbside recycling while also serving commercial accounts.

The council also discussed legal and operational constraints. The city attorney noted that the existing trash flow-control language in the code treats solid waste brought to city facilities as property of the city, and that the ordinance language will need to be changed to permit third-party collection and to define how recycling and regular waste are distinguished for scale/fee purposes.

Several council members pressed staff on communications and timing for affected businesses. Council member Don (council member) and resident Britney (resident) said industrial-park firms often have external requirements, such as ISO certifications, that depend on continued recycling, and asked that administration notify those businesses immediately. Troy (staff member) told the council he would contact the Industrial Foundation and industrial customers the following day.

Staff told council the administration planned to present options at a committee-of-the-whole meeting; the staff member said Sept. 18 was the planned date for a full presentation but later indicated they would attempt to provide information by Sept. 16 so councilors could review options before the final vote. If the council selects a franchise or other ordinance change, staff said they would return with ordinance language reflecting that choice.

Council members repeatedly asked that any change avoid a lapse in service for commercial and industrial customers and urged quick, clear communications to those accounts. "We need to make sure our businesses are taken care of and not just finish the program," Council member Amy said during the discussion.

The council's action repeals the commercial rate language from the Hopkinsville code pending the second reading and publication required by law. The ordinance as presented and passed on first reading does not itself create a new commercial vendor contract; staff must draft any implementing ordinances and bring them back to council for approval.

The council set the next procedural steps: staff will return with options and any proposed ordinance language prior to the second reading so councilors can vote with the implementation plan in view. The administration said it will notify commercial accounts and speak with industrial-park stakeholders immediately.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 25-2025 (repeal of Hopkinsville Code 93.07, commercial recycling) passed on first reading (roll-call recorded; Council member Martin voted no).