Lucas City Council approves third amendment to waste contract; residential collection rate rises to $28.44

The Lucas City Council on Oct. 2 unanimously authorized the city manager to execute a third amendment to the City's agreement with Community Waste Disposal (CWD) and adopted ordinance 2025-10-01035, which adjusts residential collection fees and codifies related fee-schedule changes.

Wanda Smith, identified in the transcript as municipal coordinator for Community Waste Disposal, reviewed services and programs the company provides to Lucas, including weekly rear-load collection with 95-gallon carts, an optional concierge (door-side) service, bulk and brush pickup, household hazardous waste (HHW) and electronics collection, and a paint-reuse program. "Our trash collection is once a week and we have the rear load trucks..." Smith said, describing service operations and optional concierge pickup for residents.

Smith told the council most small electronics are collected without an additional charge but that large flat-screen televisions carry an extra fee; she said CWD would provide a specific list of fees. On data security, Smith confirmed the company destroys hard drives turned in through its program. Council members urged the city to publish clear guidance on recyclable materials to reduce contamination and spoilage of recycling bins.

On costs, Smith said the contract adjustment reflects several factors including the consumer price index (CPI) and compressed natural gas (CNG) costs. She reported the combined residential trash and recycling charge is $28.44 after a 1.8% cost adjustment that incorporates an 8.25% sales tax and a 15% franchise fee, and said the change was scheduled to take effect Oct. 1, 2025. "So that brings that total residential rate to 28.44," she said.

Smith also presented diversion and recycling metrics, stating that CWD diverted 6,451 tons from the landfill in January'August 2025, compared with figures she read for 2024 and 2023, and noted the company would leave plaques for the city recognizing its recycling achievements.

Following the presentation, the presiding officer moved to authorize the city manager to execute the contract amendment and to adopt ordinance 2025-10-01035 amending the City of Lucas code of ordinances fee schedule. The motion was seconded and the council voted in favor; the presiding officer announced the motion carried unanimously.

The ordinance and the contract amendment take effect as stated in the motion; the council did not schedule an executive session on the matter and adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.