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City staff outline standardized leaf-collection program to start fall 2026; ordinance language to follow
Summary
City public works presented a plan to standardize fall leaf pickup (two concentrated rounds in November and December), introduce six collection zones, publish a zone map and amend Ordinance 5054; staff said standardization could cut fuel and labor costs by about 25%.
Goshen city public works staff presented a standardized leaf-collection program to the council on April 27, explaining why a fixed schedule and zone map will reduce confusion, improve efficiency and help prevent flooding and stormwater impacts.
Presenters said the plan will move the primary fall collection to the first full week of November and the first full week of December, with each pass taking two to three weeks (weather permitting). Staff told council members they will propose amendments to Ordinance 5054 (brush/leaf collection) to align the municipal code with the new schedule and to standardize public messaging on the city's website. The spring collection will continue to align with the city's annual beautify program in April/May.
Operational context: staff said Goan currently collects roughly 9,000–10,000 tons of leaves annually and that fuel and seasonal labor run about $117,000 per year; standardization could reduce fuel and labor costs by an estimated 25%. Presenters described equipment constraints (shared trucks requiring up to 30 minutes to reconfigure between sanding/plow and leaf-collection modes), a tree-canopy growth target and reliance on seasonal hires (presenter indicated the part‑time labor budget is the majority of the leaf line).
Public resources and alternatives planned include a zone map (resembling the garbage-route map), a calendar-style announcement on the city's street-page, seven free leaf/brush trailers residents may reserve and the environmental center that accepts leaves year-round. The city will also encourage residents to compost or mulch leaves on-site where feasible.
Next steps: staff will return with a proposed amendment to Ordinance 5054 and a public outreach plan that includes the zone map and 48-hour zone-move notifications. Councilors raised clarifying questions about trailer availability, compost uses and the claim that a 75% portion of 'the part-time budget' supports leaf pickup; staff clarified that the 75% figure referred to part-time seasonal labor within the street department's seasonal budget.
