Duncan board directs ordinance to require garbage-hauler licenses, sets $125 yearly fee

The Village of Duncan Board of Trustees voted unanimously on May 11 to direct the village attorney to draft an ordinance requiring local garbage haulers to obtain a municipal license and meet standards for insurance, bonding and vehicle maintenance.

Chairperson Gary Schlesinger said the measure would let the Village better regulate haulers and require them to present proposed price increases to the board. Schlesinger described the draft as intended "only for a business tax/license on garbage haulers," not to impose a general business tax on all local firms.

Several residents attended the meeting concerned a new ordinance might open the door to broader business taxes. Thaine Saunders told the board the group was present because of the possibility of a business tax; Ashlea Gurley, owner of Barrel & Bangz salon, asked the board to confirm the language would not allow taxation of all businesses, saying she wanted clarification that it "won’t open up the possibility of taxing all businesses in the future." Schlesinger reiterated the village’s stated intent to limit the change to garbage-hauler regulation.

Trustee Nick Wagoner moved and Trustee Lance Denbo seconded a motion to create a garbage-hauler licensure ordinance with a $125-per-year fee; the motion carried on a 5–0 vote (Denbo, Wagoner, Schlesinger, Ratcliffe, Steyn voting aye). Clerk Marianna Evans was instructed to work with the village attorney on drafting the ordinance and to prepare language for future consideration by the board.

The board referenced Gretna’s existing garbage licensure program as an example and asked that the attorney include standard elements such as insurance, bonding and vehicle safety requirements. The ordinance text and effective date were not specified at the meeting.