Dale County Commissioner Steve McKinnon discussed the ongoing changes for solid waste customers in Dale County during a Dec. 17 meeting of the Level Plains City Council.
McKinnon said Mark Dunning Industries, Inc., which is taking over trash collection services for Dale County in February, is already learning the garbage routes in the county.
“Everything I’m seeing of the signup process is going smoothly so far,” he said. “We’re trying to keep everybody happy, but when you’re changing service providers you’re going to run into a problem every now and then.”
Level Plains residents are currently being required to travel to the Dale County Solid Waste Department in Ozark to sign up for services in person, which McKinnon tried to have changed during a recent commission meeting.
“We know it’s inconvenient for some, but it has to happen to get everyone signed up and in the computer system,” McKinnon said. “I was under the impression that if someone physically can’t go to the office, someone could bring all their paper work and sign them up.”
Some residents say they haven’t been allowed to sign up a relative, which is making it difficult for some senior citizens to travel to Ozark and collect the required 90-gallon canister.
“I know we’ve got people in the area who can’t get out and can’t drive,” McKinnon said. “We’re going to make that work, I’ll just say that. We don’t want it abused, but we’ll find a way to work that out.”
McKinnon said he would be back in touch with council members and Level Plains Mayor Bruce Grantham as the issue is handled.
The signup in Ozark is the only change in service Level Plains residents will see, according to McKinnon.
The new cans will be larger, easier to move and McKinnon said MDI’s service should be more efficient for county employees.
“The trucks use a tipper to lift the cans, which keeps workers from physically picking up the cans,” he said. “In the past we’ve had several liability claims from county workers injured performing trash services.”
Service through MDI will cost residents $14 per month, and residents signed up before February will not be subject to the $50 servicing fee.
A second 90-gallon canister can be purchased for an additional $10 per month.
McKinnon also said senior citizens whose household income is derived from only social security benefits can register for free trash services.
MDI customers can also request a list of scheduled pickup days for trash contents, which do not fit into the canister issued to Dale County residents.
Those days include holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.
However, unless specially requested, only items inside of the MDI-issued canister will be collected.
McKinnon said damaged cans would be replaced at the solid waste department unless repairs could be made at the home of the customer.
The county is also not offering recycling services through MDI.
According to McKinnon, all materials collected by the Southeast Alabama Solid Waste Disposal Authority are recycled onsite at the Coffee County Landfill.
Canisters are available from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the Dale County Solid Waste Department.
For more information, contact the Dale County Solid Waste Department at 774-6212.
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