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ORD#12,285

ORDINANCE

 

STATE OF LOUISIANA                                                                             NO.  12,285               

CITY OF MONROE                                                                                   

 

The following Ordinance was introduced by  Ezernack                    , who moved for its adoption and was seconded by  Muhammad                             :

 

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 16-20 (REFUSE COLLECTION CHARGES) OF THE CITY OF MONROE CODE AND FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.

            WHEREAS, Section 16-20 of the City of Monroe Code levies a service charge to defray the expense of collecting and disposing of all residential refuse, garbage and trash;

WHEREAS, the collection charges were last amended in 2004 (Ord. No. 10,407) and have remained the same since amendment;

WHEREAS, the expenses of providing collection services, including the cost of obtaining vehicles and equipment, maintenance, fuel, and operations, have increased considerably over the last two decades;

WHEREAS, the City Council desires to increase the collection charges for collection and disposal to ensure that the expenses of providing collections services are defrayed adequately, to maintain sufficient service levels, and to support quality operations with competitive wages; and

WHEREAS, the City Council also desires to update the contents of Section 16-20 to reflect current operations and remove superfluous provisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Monroe, in legal and regular session convened, that Section 16-20 of the Code of Ordinances of Monroe, Louisiana, is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

Sec. 16-20. Collection Charges

  • Authorization and Scope of Service.
    • All residences within the City limits that receive municipal utility service shall be required to use the refuse, garbage, and trash collection service provided by the Department of Public Works, regardless of whether the resident or owner is the utility account holder. Residential refuse, garbage, and trash shall be collected and disposed of exclusively by the City, its agents, or representatives, subject to the limitations and requirements of this Chapter.
    • Commercial establishments and multi-family residential properties less than five (5) dwelling units that produce an average of less than four-hundred eighty (480) gallons of garbage (equivalent to five City-issued receptacles) and less than two (2) cubic yards of trash per week shall be required to use the refuse, garbage, and trash collection service provided by the Department of Public Works. Such refuse, garbage, and trash shall be collected and disposed of exclusively by the City, its agents, or representatives, subject to the limitations and requirements of this Chapter.
  • Commercial establishments and multi-family properties that produce an average of more than four-hundred eighty (480) gallons of garbage (equivalent to five City-issued receptacles) or more than two (2) cubic yards of trash per week shall contract privately for collection and disposal, unless otherwise approved by the Department of Public Works for good cause shown, provided such private service complies with all applicable laws and regulations.
  • Standard service shall include:
  • Once-weekly curbside refuse collection using City-issued receptacles; and
  • Once-weekly collection of yard waste not to exceed two (2) cubic yards. Yard waste shall be prepared in accordance with Section 16-19(8) or applicable departmental policy.
  • The Department of Public Works may determine service routes, set-out requirements, collection standards, and receptacle placement necessary for safe and efficient operations.
  • Service Charges. There is hereby levied a service charge to defray the expense of collecting and disposing of refuse, garbage, and trash.
    • Residential Rates.
      • Standard Rate. The monthly service charge shall be twenty-eight dollars ($28.00) per City-issued receptacle.
      • Senior Rate. For residences in which the head of household is sixty-five (65) years of age or older, the monthly service charge shall be eighteen dollars ($18.00) per City-issued receptacle. 
      • Senior Income-Qualified Rate. For residences in which the head of the household is sixty-five (65) years or older and is a verified participant in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program, the Medicaid Program, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the monthly service charge shall be thirteen dollars ($13.00) per City-issued receptacle.
      • Application and Renewal. Applications for reduced residential rates shall be submitted in a form approved by the Utilities Division. The applicant must provide documents proving eligibility, including a driver’s license or birth certificate. Approved eligibility shall remain valid for two (2) years, unless household status changes. Reduced-rate billing shall begin with the next full billing cycle following approval; there shall be no credit for any lost eligibility or payments occurring prior to the approval of the application. The reduced rate shall be terminated and revert to the regular rate if a renewal application is not received prior to the expiration of the eligibility period. The City may periodically verify eligibility.
  • Commercial Rates.
    • Standard Rate. The monthly service charge for business or commercial establishments and eligible multi-family residential properties shall be thirty-three dollars ($33.00) per City-issued receptacle.
    • Minimum Requirements.
    • Number of Receptacles. Multi-family residential properties and commercial establishments shall maintain refuse receptacle capacity sufficient to accommodate the volume of refuse generated at the premises. Commercial establishments shall not be issued more than five (5) City-issued receptacles for use at any single premises. Multi-family residential properties with less than five (5) dwelling units must have at least one City-issued receptacle per unit. Multi-family properties and commercial establishments exceeding their cart capacity may be required to utilize dumpsters or alternative collection services.
    • Private Service. If a multi-family residential property or commercial establishment is required to use private service, the owner or operator shall arrange for private refuse collection and disposal at a frequency and capacity sufficient to meet the needs of all residents, tenants, customers, and business operations and to prevent accumulation of refuse, nuisance conditions, or violations of this Chapter or other applicable law.
    • Compliance. Failure to maintain adequate municipal or private refuse collection service as determined by the Department of Public Works shall constitute a violation of this Chapter.
  • Rental Fee.
    • In addition to the monthly service charge, a rental fee of two dollars ($2.00) per City-issued receptacle per month is hereby levied.
    • All receptacles remain the property of the City.
    • Users shall be responsible for the cost of replacing City-issued receptacles that are lost, stolen, or damaged due to misuse. The City shall replace receptacles damaged through normal wear and tear.
  • Billing and Continuity of Service.
    • Service charges shall begin upon initiation of municipal services and shall end upon discontinuation.
    • Non-payment shall be collected in accordance with the City’s utility billing and collection policies.
    • Service may be discontinued for accounts delinquent more than sixty (60) days and may be restored only upon payment of the full amount of all arrears and applicable fees.
  • Charges for Extra Service.
    • The standard service provided for in this Section does not include:
    • Dumpster collection; or
    • Bulk waste collection; or
    • Collection of refuse, trash, and garbage exceeding the quantities imposed by or placed in a manner not approved by this Chapter or departmental policy.
    • The Department of Public Works is authorized, but not required, to provide extra services when necessary to protect the health, safety, appearance, and welfare of the community.
    • The Department of Public Works shall maintain a record of services provided and shall bill the property owner the actual cost of providing such services, including disposal fees.
    • The charges shall be included on the next available utility bill. Services may be discontinued if such bill is not paid timely.
    • Items prohibited from collection under Section 16-19(7), including but not limited to furniture, mattresses, appliances, televisions, plumbing fixtures, construction materials, hazardous waste, and other prohibited materials, shall not be collected as standard or extra service.
  • Violations. In addition to any other costs, fines, or fees imposed by this Chapter, violations of the provisions of this Chapter may result in the imposition of fines or fees in accordance with the following:
    • A written notice of violation shall be issued providing seven (7) days to correct the violation.
    • If the violation remains uncorrected, penalties shall be assessed as follows:
        1. First Offense: $100.00
        2. Second Offense: $200.00
        3. Third or subsequent offense: $300.00
        4. The total penalty assessed for any single violation event shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00); provided, however, that each month a commercial establishment or multi-family property fails to maintain adequate municipal or private refuse collection service shall constitute a separate violation event.
    • The penalty may be assessed to:
      • The property owner;
      • The resident, occupant, or utility account holder; or
      • The owner or lessor of a multi-family property where violations occur.
    • A written appeal may be filed with the Department of Public Works within ten (10) days of notice. The Department of Public Works shall adjudicate the appeal promptly.
    • The penalties provided in this Section shall supersede and replace any inconsistent penalty provisions elsewhere in this Chapter relating to refuse collection.
  • Administrative Authority. The Department of Public Works may adopt reasonable rules, procedures, and service standards consistent with this Section.

 

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that if any provision of this Ordinance is found invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that this Ordinance shall be effective on May 1, 2026, and shall apply to all billing periods on or after that date.

This Ordinance was introduced on January 13, 2026.

 

            Notice published on January  16, 2026 and February 5, 2026.

 

This Ordinance having been submitted in writing, introduced, and published, was then submitted to a vote as a whole, the vote thereon being as follows:

 

AYES:            Ezernack, Woods, McFarland & Muhammad

 

NAYS:            None.

 

ABSENT:       Harvey.

 

And the Ordinance was declared ADOPTED on February 10, 2026.

 

 

Rodney McFarland, I             

CHAIRPERSON

Carolus S. Riley                     

CITY CLERK

Oliver Friday Ellis                 

MAYOR’S APPROVAL

________________________

MAYOR’S VETO

 

 

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