Sanitation in Hallandale Beach part II

As part of our budget, we have been evaluating our Sanitation Division. During the last budget workshop, we agreed to some changes to ensure we remain competitive with fees and remain sensitive to our customers’ needs. 

As mentioned in my last article our existing recycling program will be discontinued. The cost of disposing recycling increased and if there was any contamination in the blue bins we were charged the regular garbage tipping rate. 

The truth is over the past year, or two recycled materials were placed with regular trash and transferred up north. This is not just our city but the case in many municipalities. Yes, there are some smaller programs depending on the city. Broward County is in the process of re-inventing their programs through a comprehensive plan. 

The programs will not be operational for years. While it is disappointing, we desire to be open and transparent and stop wasting our resources on separate pickups and charging for something that is not working. 

The basic residential service per month will be increased from 27.87 to 30.00 for the green bins. If residents would like to request a second bin the fee will be 15.00. If a resident wants twice a week pick up it will be an additional 30.00.  Staff did not originally recommend the second pick up at this rate, it was to be 15 dollars. The commission raised the point that if the cost for pick up is 30.00 the minimum the cost should be covered by who wants the service.

Our city has been providing free bulk pick up once a month for every single-family home and multi-family-4 units and under. This equates to 5000 customers that may only use the service only once or twice a year. This is where the biggest challenge has been. 

Rather than 12 times a year free, residents will receive 6 free bulk pickups a year. This will not be automatic but be a requested and scheduled service. After the 6th pick up it will be $36.00 and up depending on the amount of trash. 

Our staff has been providing services that are not in line with our ordinance. Over size bulk pickups were picked up. They would go back to customers that called saying they were missing when we did pick up and they just had additional waste. They picked up overflowing bins when there should be larger roll outs of our additional pickups scheduled.

For the past year through the evaluation staff began simply exercising the authority under ordinance. The service is convenience so our customers do not have to take items to the county drop off. 

It is for items like old furniture, appliances and other small household items. The service was never intended for apartment cleaning outs and construction debris for home remodels. 

Another exploitation of the service was for large landscape projects such as tree removal. Bulk was to be limited to residential landscaping and not to provide commercial vendors with the ability to avoid hauling their waste or avoid paying for pickup. This abuse of bulk waste was costing everyone money and adversely impacting those customers that were following the rules. 

Currently, if residents cut their own grass the trimmings and small clippings from shrubs or palm fronds can be placed with regular garbage in the large green bins. If you have a need for a second bin that would be 15.00. If you have additional items our residents always have the ability to take items to the county drop off. 

Construction debris is also strictly forbidden. Cost of haul construction and demolition must be through the rental of bins specifically for these materials. For smaller jobs, you can rent a smaller bin rather than a larger roll out. Your contractor should be making these arrangements.

We want to continue to provide services rather than contracting out. For example, Hollywood is 47 dollars a month, but their contract has a built-in increase until 2029. Many newer communities and many HOA now require residents to arrange their own pick up with private service providers. Many are well over 75 dollars and up minimum. 

There will be other base increases in services for multi-family and commercial. To find out more you can review our budget presentation that was on August 6th. Visit cohb.org and click on agenda to find this information and other pertinent budget items.

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our city a better place at phone/text 954-632-5700 or you can email me at jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at Mayor Joy Cooper. Like, follow, and share.