UG ramps up illegal-dumping program: cleanups, new cameras and possible ordinance changes

The Unified Government provided an update on a year‑old illegal‑dumping cleanup initiative and outlined enforcement and ordinance options after early successes with pilot cameras and community collaboration.

Rocky Mays, manager in Buildings & Logistics, said the program began in September 2025 and recorded 32 cleanup days across 138 locations through July 2026; 14 locations have required five or more cleanups. "Our total cleanup cost from September to July has been a $103,000," Mays said, noting waste‑management dumping fees, tire disposal and labor as elements of that total. He highlighted a pilot camera program that produced clear images of dumpers and said message boards purchased with American Royal funds are deployed in five high‑need districts to encourage reporting.

UG Legal (Kelsey Saunders and Casey Myer) described enforcement tools and potential ordinance changes. Saunders said existing fines start at $500 and can reach $2,500 with up to six months in jail for serious dumping; garbage offenses are treated distinctly. Myer discussed potential changes modeled on Wichita's 2025 amendments including aggravated or aggregated fines and requiring defendants to assist in cleanup in some cases, or adding a waste‑tire hauler permit threshold (e.g., transporting more than five tires without a permit). Police and enforcement staff said prosecution rates are higher when callers provide license plate or vehicle details; two prior reward payouts have been issued for witness prosecutions.

Commissioners welcomed the emphasis on cameras and community reporting and asked staff to return with proposed ordinance language and data from Wichita about outcomes. The item was informational; no vote taken.