Panama City orders study of transfer station and issues citywide apology after holiday trash delays

The Panama City Commission on Jan. 13 directed staff to study the feasibility of a local transfer station to improve trash-collection efficiency and approved a citywide apology for missed holiday pickups, after public comments highlighted months-long frustrations.

Commissioner Josh Street and other commissioners described large backlogs and inconsistent pickup times after holiday schedule adjustments created a surge in service demand. Staff explained that every time a trash truck fills it must drive to the landfill (Steelfield), adding trips, cost and time; commissioners said a transfer station could allow local collection trucks to make short runs to a nearby facility, consolidate loads and reduce trips to the distant landfill.

"This is something other cities have," one commissioner said, noting that a local transfer station could reduce driver time, truck wear and landfill trips. Several commissioners asked staff to scope the cost of a study and said environmental-services reserve funds could cover that study. The commission voted 5–0 to direct staff to research costs and to proceed with a study paid from the environmental services reserve.

Commissioners also approved issuing a citywide apology and improved communication to residents about pickup schedules. Staff noted that holiday-week schedules historically affect the east side differently when holidays fall on certain weekdays, and acknowledged that inconsistent alerts contributed to confusion.

Next steps: staff will prepare a cost estimate and scope for a transfer-station feasibility study and return with recommendations; staff will also issue a citywide apology and improve communication protocols for future holiday schedule changes.