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Hopkinsville council moves to repeal commercial recycling ordinance, seeks private options for businesses
Summary
In a first reading and vote Sept. 2, Hopkinsville City Council approved repeal of the city—s commercial recycling rate ordinance, prompting debate over notice to 159 commercial customers and 24 industrial-park businesses and whether to pursue a franchise or third-party contractors to maintain service.
Hopkinsville City Council voted on first reading Sept. 2 to repeal Section 93.07 of the Hopkinsville Code, the city—s commercial recycling rate ordinance, a change administration said is needed to open the market to private contractors.
The repeal, introduced as Ordinance 25-2025, drew sustained discussion from council members worried about service interruptions for 159 commercial customers — including 24 businesses in the industrial park — and the potential compliance or insurance consequences for firms that rely on mandated recycling programs. Council members pressed administration for a timetable and fuller cost data before the second reading.
"The first thing that has to happen is you have to change the ordinance to allow someone else to come into the city," Melissa Clayton, the city—s chief financial officer, told the council. Clayton emphasized that without an ordinance change, soliciting third-party contractors would be ineffective.
City staff said commercial customers would receive 30 days— notice before any change took effect and that the city—s current budget covers service through Sept. 30. "We're gonna continue this until it actually is on our budget," a staff member told council members, noting the city planned to keep collecting commercial recycling until a new contract structure is in place.
Councilmembers debated options for how to proceed after repeal: allow multiple private providers or pursue a franchise-style contract requiring the winning bidder to offer both commercial and curbside service. Administration recommended seeking bids and contracting with a single provider if the council wants to retain curbside recycling; staff cautioned some vendors may bid only for the commercial side.
Several council members urged faster action and said they expected more detailed proposals at the committee-of-the-whole meeting scheduled for mid-September. One council member warned industrial-park firms could face regulatory or contractual problems without clear continuity of service.
The motion to repeal passed its first reading and will return for a second reading and final vote. Administration said it would meet with the Industrial Foundation and affected businesses and deliver a set of implementation options to council members ahead of the next meeting.
Next steps: staff to deliver options and cost information for council review before the second reading; commercial customers to receive at least 30 days— notice if the repeal is enacted.
