Mableton adopts Chapter 12 solid-waste ordinance, sets environmental-management fee and implementation timeline

Mableton — The Mableton City Council voted Jan. 28 to adopt a new ordinance creating Chapter 12 of the city code to govern collection, disposal and recycling of solid waste, approving several amendments requested by the city attorney and setting an implementation timetable that begins April 1, 2025.

The ordinance establishes an open-franchise model under which private trash haulers will register with the city and operate in a competitive market rather than creating a city-run service or awarding a single exclusive franchise. Council members and staff said the approach is intended to preserve small haulers while allowing resident choice.

At a public hearing and discussion spanning more than three hours, council members and staff reviewed three service models they had studied: a city-run collection department, a single exclusive contract with one hauler, and an open-franchise model. City Manager Xavier (acting city manager) and staff recommended the open-franchise model as the best fit for Mableton’s resources and policy goals.

The ordinance sets an environmental management fee (EMF) that will be collected by haulers as a percentage surcharge on service. Council approved lowering the residential EMF from an earlier 6.5% proposal to a flat 6% for residential customers. Council did not reduce the commercial EMF from 13.5% at the Jan. 28 meeting.

Mayor Michael Owens,…