Ocala council workshop reviews solid-waste operations, recycling costs and compactor policy

Ocala public works officials reviewed the city’s solid-waste collection, recycling program and recent equipment purchases during a May 13 City Council work session, and council members asked staff to prepare a formal policy to protect private haulers’ existing compactor accounts.

The presentation, delivered by Darren Park, public works director, summarized current contracts, service levels and costs for commercial and residential sanitation and recycling. Park said the city’s disposal contract with GFL runs from Oct. 1, 2018, through Sept. 30, 2025, and that the city will issue an invitation to bid for a new disposal contract in the next two days. He summarized tonnage, account counts and recent investments, noting the council previously approved compactors and trucks for the city’s sanitation fleet.

Why it matters: City staff framed sanitation as both a core service and a source of operational flexibility — handling storm-debris collection, downtown dumpster cleanup and special-event support. Council members expressed interest in ensuring the city’s new compactor capability does not unfairly displace longstanding private haulers and asked staff to return with a written approach.

Park told council the city handled 62,564 tons of solid waste last year: about 43,475 tons from commercial accounts and about 19,089 from residential accounts. He said the…