Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Sanitation Recycling topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newton approves move from curbside recycling to convenience‑center roll‑offs
Summary
Citing persistent sanitation staffing shortages and CDL constraints, the council approved replacing curbside pickup with five 15‑yard roll‑off recycling containers (estimated $50,635) and authorized staff to pursue related operational changes, including acquiring a knuckle boom truck.
The Newton City Council voted unanimously on June 7 to transition from curbside recycling pickup to a system of convenience‑center roll‑off containers, citing persistent staffing shortages and regulatory barriers to drivers obtaining commercial driver’s licenses.
Public Works and Utilities Director Dusty Wentz told council the sanitation division has 13 authorized positions but only eight filled; four employees hold CDL licenses required for standard residential trucks. Daily operations currently require four CDL drivers; weekly tasks require six. Wentz said the department has temporarily suspended the strict CDL hiring requirement in recent months to maintain service.
Wentz proposed placing five 15‑yard roll‑off recycling containers at a mix of city‑owned properties and private parking lots (staff is negotiating with private property owners). Staff estimated the containers at $9,727 each, totaling $48,635, and recommended an additional $2,000 for City of Newton and recycling stickers and decals, for an equipment estimate of $50,635. He said the change would avoid the need to replace 25‑gallon red curbside totes — a replacement project estimated at $264,000 (2019 dollars) — and could reduce labor strain on garbage routes by reallocating two non‑CDL staff to garbage collection.
Wentz and staff explained operational tradeoffs: frequency of roll‑off pickups, MRF disposal fees (currently budgeted at $40,000 annually), and fuel costs could increase or decrease depending on resident usage; staff could not estimate net operational cost changes at the time of the presentation. Wentz said curbside recycling would continue for one to two months during the transition and that staff does not intend to continue collecting the red totes after the transition; residents may use the totes to transport recyclables to convenience centers.
After the presentation, Council Member Ed Sain moved to approve the transition; Mayor Pro Tem John Stiver seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Council directed staff to proceed with operational planning, resident notification via utility bills and social media, and to return to council for any required budget adjustments or contract approvals.
