Sumter County committee outlines options to tackle litter and impassable private dirt roads

Sumter County's Public Works Committee reported Feb. 14 that it will pursue multiple approaches to address litter concentrated near rural recycling centers and research options to help residents on private dirt roads that have become increasingly impassable.

Committee Chair Councilman Artie Baker told council the committee discussed (a) contracting a litter company to collect trash within a three-to-five-mile radius around problem recycling centers, (b) ramped-up enforcement including fines and community service for repeat littering offenders, and (c) implementing a litter-education program in schools. Councilman Washington emphasized the consequences of impassable dirt roads for emergency responders and said the administrator and public works director will research three possible responses and return with cost estimates. The committee's recommendations were adopted unanimously by council.

During public comment, Jackie Hughes said she picks up litter near her home and suggested adding a fee to fast-food businesses to fund cleanup and publishing the names of litter offenders in the local paper; the speaker's proposals were noted but no administrative action on those specific proposals was recorded in the meeting minutes.

The committee directed staff to return with financial impacts and implementation options so council can choose among contracting, enforcement, or education measures; any enforcement changes would require appropriate ordinance or policy steps.