Garbage trucks could roll through Fort Walton Beach neighborhoods twice a week again starting this fall.
- City staff will present a proposal Tuesday night to bring back twice-weekly residential garbage collection, a service the city eliminated in October 2014 when it launched curbside recycling. The City Council directed staff in December to develop the plan.
Council members will weigh three options: keeping the current once-weekly model, moving to twice-weekly pickup through the city’s Solid Waste Division, or soliciting proposals from private haulers through a request for proposals. Staff recommends the second option.
Residents currently pay $27.13 monthly for once-weekly garbage, recycling and yard waste pickup. The new rate for twice-weekly service will be announced at the Jan. 27 meeting.
The proposed schedule would create two garbage routes: Monday/Thursday and Tuesday/Friday. Recycling would split into four zones covering those same days. Yard waste and bulk household pickup schedules would stay the same.
Implementation would require additional fuel, higher vehicle repair costs and reclassifying one driver position, according to a city memorandum. No new full-time employees would be needed. The city plans to add one side-loading truck and conduct a public education campaign about the schedule changes.
Several neighboring municipalities already offer twice-weekly residential pickup, according to city documents.
- Destin (WM) – $29.80
- Crestview (Adams) – $38.76
- Okaloosa County – $37.27
Commercial rates
A rate comparison included in the council agenda also examined commercial pricing.
Compared to Destin, the city says Fort Walton Beach commercial customers pay less depending on dumpster size and pickup frequency:
- Two-yard dumpsters: $106 to $297.61 less per month in FWB
- Four-yard dumpsters: $74.67 to $196.38 less per month in FWB
- Six-yard dumpsters: $43.66 to $91.02 less per month in FWB
- Eight-yard dumpsters: Rates level out between the two cities
Compared to Crestview, the savings are larger:
- Two-yard dumpsters: $77.10 to $231.09 less per month in FWB
- Four-yard dumpsters: $151.64 to $436.87 less per month in FWB
- Six-yard dumpsters: $209.19 to $593.19 less per monthin FWB
- Eight-yard dumpsters: $242.85 to $677.46 less per month in FWB
Commercial rates would remain unchanged under the proposal, according to the memo.
The city hired Raftelis Financial Consultants to conduct a detailed rate analysis.
Staff is set to recommend council authorize the City Manager to implement twice-weekly pickup beginning Oct. 1, giving crews time to receive the new truck and educate residents about their new collection days.
The council meeting will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 6pm.
3 Responses
Was a reason given?
Once a week is good for FWB. If folks need additional service have them et another trash can.
I would pay a few extra bucks for twice a week pick up. Especially during summer months when it starts to stink.