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Jackson cancels fall clean-up, directs staff to seek RFPs for waste services starting 2027
Summary
The Jackson City Council voted March 17 to cancel the fall 2026 citywide clean-up to save an estimated $13,000–$15,000, keep a spring curbside clean-up at no cost to the city, and direct staff to issue Requests for Proposals for waste disposal services to begin in 2027.
The Jackson City Council on March 17 voted unanimously to cancel the city’s fall 2026 clean-up and to direct staff to solicit Requests for Proposals for waste disposal services beginning in 2027.
Interim City Administrator Bret Heitkamp told the Council Waste Management has shifted its equipment from rear-load to front-end load trucks and that continuing a second, fall curbside clean-up would add "approximately $13,000 to $15,000" to the city’s costs. Heitkamp said residents who lack vehicles to haul items to a centralized drop-off can obtain a permit for curbside pickup for $40.
The change drew budget-focused comments from Alderman Nathan Peterson, who said the second clean-up was added during the COVID pandemic and that the city should avoid raising taxes to cover recurring expenses. "People don’t want their taxes to go up," Peterson said, arguing the city should keep the free spring event and drop the fall event to save money. Aldermen Shawn Foster and Mark Titus expressed support for Peterson’s approach, noting the spring service will remain available.
Peterson moved to amend the 2026 Citywide Clean-up Program to cancel the fall clean-up and continue the spring curbside clean-up at no cost to the city; Alderman Shawn Foster seconded. The motion was carried unanimously. Later, Peterson moved and Alderman Joe Pell seconded a separate motion directing City staff to seek RFPs for waste disposal services to take effect after the current Waste Management contract expires on Dec. 31, 2026; that motion also passed unanimously.
Council members noted the current contract with Waste Management runs through the end of 2026 and said staff should publicize any changes to residents. The Council did not set a specific deadline for issuing RFPs but instructed staff to begin procurement activity in advance of the contract expiration.
Next steps: City staff will prepare and release RFP documents for waste disposal services to start in 2027, and the spring clean-up will proceed as planned at no additional cost to the city.
