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Commissioners press for changes after complaints about county garbage hauling and dump access
Summary
County and city crews described repeated dumpster overflows, inefficient hauling patterns and training gaps; commissioners asked staff to seek operational fixes such as earlier start times, increased trips to the Plentywood dump and clearer interlocal arrangements.
Commissioners and city haulers spent a substantial portion of the June 15 meeting reviewing county garbage‑hauling practices after city staff said dumpster capacity at the Plentywood dump has been inconsistent and haulers have sometimes had to hold loads because cans were full.
City personnel said they haul twice weekly and sometimes need to take loads on Mondays and Fridays; they also reported that dumpsters at Plentywood filled early and that the county hauling crew often did not make multiple runs early in the day. A board member recommended that crews "get in that truck and drive their ass to Plentywood" early in the morning to ensure at least one or two dumps per day.
Commissioners and staff discussed options to improve efficiency including: re‑sequencing routes, reinforcing hauling expectations with the county supervisor, asking the dump operator for additional Monday access or keys for emergency dumping, and assessing whether current trucks are appropriately sized. No formal policy change was adopted, but commissioners assigned follow up to review routes, staffing and training.
The discussion highlighted cost implications and a desire to reduce duplicative handling; one commissioner noted the county is paying employee time while driving runs that could be consolidated. Staff promised to report back with recommendations on staffing, routing and potential additional hauls to ensure dumpsters are not routinely over capacity.
