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City approves $50 special-pickup fee for bulky trash, outlines acceptable items
Summary
The board approved superintendent-recommended special-pickup rules: $25 mobilization plus $25 landfill fee (total $50) for up to two bulky items per request (appliances, furniture, mattresses); hazardous waste and construction debris are excluded; staff will publish FAQs clarifying street-department brush pickup vs. refuse special pickups.
The Michigan City board on June 24 approved a new special-pickup policy for bulky household items. The program, designed to manage frequent requests and reduce wear on collection equipment, charges a $25 mobilization fee plus a $25 landfill-disposal fee for a standard $50 charge per pickup request. Staff said the service will generally accept up to two items per pickup (appliances, furniture, mattresses), will take up to four tires per household, and will not accept construction debris, hazardous waste or loose yard waste that requires separate handling.
Refuse staff said the fee is intended to encourage residents to call in and schedule pickups so crews can plan routes and staffing; the department will inspect some requests in person before scheduling to ensure items are acceptable. Commissioners and staff discussed public education, neighborhood outreach and the need to clarify the distinction between street-department storm/brush pickups and the refuse department’s bulky-item program. Staff said they will add a frequently asked questions section online and were already discussing neighborhood presentations and town-hall outreach.
The board voted to adopt the superintendent’s rules and guidelines, with the superintendent and staff authorized to implement the scheduling and payment process. Commissioners noted the city also plans to expand code-enforcement work this summer to address items left at curbside without requests and to issue citations when needed under existing ordinances.
What’s next: staff will post the rules, implement pre-payment and scheduling procedures, coordinate the street department about brush/leaf pickup distinctions, and pursue outreach through neighborhood associations.
