DUBOIS – Property owners questioned members of DuBois City Council on Monday night concerning issues related to garbage pick-up.
Council conducted a public hearing one hour prior to its regular meeting to receive public input on its proposed change to the billing process for garbage pick-up.
Under the change, the city’s garbage service provider – Advanced Disposal – would be paid by the city. The city would combine billing for water/sewer with garbage pick-up.
Any property owner who fails to pay the city for garbage pick-up would be subject to having the city shut off their water. Landlords would be asked to collect payment from their tenants.
City Manager John ‘Herm’ Suplizio explained that issues first arose for the city because there were tenants who were not paying for garbage pick-up.
Under city regulations, all residential units are required to have garbage pick-up. However, Suplizio said tenants refused to pay for services, and the city attempted to levy fines.
He said that tenants then refused to pay their fines, and the delinquent cases were turned over to the magistrate’s office in DuBois.
According to Suplizio, neighbors began complaining about the garbage because it had piled up over a period of a month and a half. He said it’s currently affecting 10 different people in one area.
Suplizio was asked why the city didn’t contact landlords over issues with their tenants. He said they do, but the landlords whose tenants created this issue were not present at the meeting.
When asked, Suplizio said Advanced Disposal will remain the sole garbage hauler for DuBois City. Secretary Bobbie Shaffer added the city and Advanced Disposal have an agreement through 2028.
Suplizio said the city would explore options to try to keep rates low, noting future rates weren’t known at this time. However, he said it appears current rates will be around $25/month.