Lexington County Council Rejects Countywide Garbage Collection Proposal, Residents Celebrate

Lexington County Residents Breathe a Sigh of Relief as Garbage Collection Proposal Gets the Boot

In a move that has left many residents celebrating, the Lexington County Council has decided to toss away a proposed plan for countywide garbage collection. During their Tuesday meeting, council members voted to ditch the proposal, which would have meant the introduction of a new annual service charge for residents. This decision came just before a packed public hearing where many voices echoed their concerns about the cost and practicality of such a program.

The Current Garbage Situation

As it stands, folks living in the unincorporated areas of Lexington County have the freedom to choose whether they want to sign up for trash pickup services by private collectors. This flexibility, however, has led to a mix of experiences, with some areas reporting uneven and unreliable garbage collection. Depending on how many households subscribe to the service in their particular neighborhoods, residents sometimes face long intervals before their trash is picked up. To add to the frenzy, Lexington County currently has 11 collection sites for household waste, which have become increasingly popular as newcomers flock to the area.

Crunching the Numbers

The original proposal included a hefty price tag of approximately $258 a year for each household, a figure that has stirred up plenty of emotions. For perspective, neighboring Richland County has a similar service that includes not just trash collection, but also recycling and yard debris removal for a rate of $368 annually. Yet, half of Lexington County’s residents do not subscribe to any collection service at all, and the idea of being forced into such a plan was met with adamant resistance.

Voices of the Community

During the public hearing, residents expressed their opinions passionately. Louan Caron, for instance, pointed out that while regular trash collection might be ideal for some, it doesn’t suit everyone. “If you’re in a rural area with a half-mile long driveway, you don’t want to drag it down there,” she said. It’s a situation many can relate to, especially when considering the presence of local wildlife, which tends to create chaos with any garbage left outside.

Joyce Mize, another council attendee, articulated her desire for some independence, stating, “I want to have a choice in how I want to spend my money.” Mize pointed out that she prefers to take her waste to the dump herself and would rather not have added bills cluttering her finances.

The County’s Side

On the flip side, Solid Waste Director Lee McIntyre voiced his concerns about the sustainability of the current trash collection system. He explained that the sporadic nature of collection often leads to missed pickups, especially when only a couple of residences are being served on any given street. “The drivers are looking at maps and trying to remember addresses. If they stop at every house, it’s cheaper to provide that service,” he noted.

Exploring Alternatives

Although the council members were intent on finding a resolution, they could not reach a consensus on how to navigate the ongoing chaos surrounding garbage collection. Several members suggested establishing a plan that would allow those in rural settings to opt out of the service while still offering it as an option for more densely populated areas. Councilman Scott Whetstone remarked, “We need to do this in planning developments of 10 homes or more, but not the entire county.” Unfortunately, Council Chair Beth Carrigg pointed out that current state law prohibits such selective implementation, meaning a unified curbside solution is the only way forward.

Conclusion

For now, Lexington County residents will continue to have the choice on how they handle their trash. And while the proposal for a countywide service has been cast aside, the conversation about improving the waste management system in this growing community is far from over. Whether it’s at the collection sites or through private collectors, residents will keep finding ways to manage their waste in a manner that works best for them.