Commission rescinds countywide mandatory curbside trash plan after months of debate

The Clayton County Board of Commissioners voted on Feb. 22 to rescind its prior adoption of a countywide mandatory curbside garbage and solid-waste collection plan, sending the issue back to the Solid Waste Authority for further study.

The resolution (2025-27) rescinded a previously proposed four-district curbside collection plan that the county had been developing over about two and a half years. Supporters of rescission said the board needed to revisit key details — in particular how fees would be collected and whether placing charges on property-tax statements or using the tax commissioner as a billing conduit was appropriate — and noted the county's existing request for proposals (RFP) had expired Feb. 14.

Central services staff told commissioners the RFP had been extended previously but that the most recent extension had expired; the initial price held by bidders had been approximately $19 per household per month when the RFP was active. The staff recommended restarting procurement or returning to the Solid Waste Authority for a revised plan. Several commissioners said they supported mandatory pickup in principle to reduce litter, but many also expressed strong opposition to placing trash fees on the property-tax bill because that could require collection infrastructure and additional personnel funded by residents.

After extended discussion about program execution, contract timing and potential impacts on smaller local haulers, the commission approved the resolution rescinding the prior adoption and instructed staff to revisit the procurement and plan design.

Provenance (transcript evidence): discussion and vote on rescinding curbside collection plan (s=2972.95 to s=3739.96).