Kings Mountain makes changes to its bulk waste collection policy
The city of Kings Mountain recently passed a new ordinance regarding the pick-up of tree limbs and other debris.
In January, City Council amended its ordinance on bulk waste collection, and residents may be charged additional costs when leaving tree limbs and brush at the curb.
Previously, the city picked up limbs and unbagged clippings and leaves at no additional cost, but the city is now charging for the removal of large piles of tree trimmings and other debris.
According to the ordinance, the city will remove large piles of tree trimmings for homeowners in residential areas if approved by the public works director.
“The residents… requesting this service shall be billed at a rate of employee overtime labor multiplied by 1.67 plus equipment and landfill charges for piles larger than five feet by five feet,” the ordinance reads. “Prices will be quoted and agreed to in writing prior to work being performed by the city. Rates may be subject to change.”
The ordinance outlined that leaves and grass clippings must be bagged - except during the fall season from Oct. 1 through Feb. 15 - and no leaves or clippings may be placed on the curb or street but must be behind the curb in the city right-of-way. Violations are subject to penalties of up to $50.
Some residents are unhappy about the change and spoke during public comment portion of last week's City Council meeting.
Mike Brown, who lives in the city, said he owns rental properties and recently after doing some work at one of his houses, he had put tree limbs and brush out at the road to be picked up.
“They left a notice on my door that said they would not pick it up,” he said during public comment. “They passed a new ordinance in January of '24, that nothing would be picked up more than 5 feet long, more than 4 inches in diameter, and I was really blown away.”
He said he was told he could pay $100 to have it picked up.
“That infuriated me very much because I'm paying $125,000 in property taxes, and I'm not getting anything for my money,” Brown said. “When I first got married in this town, there were two things the city required us to do, that was to pay the power bill and water bill. Since then, the city has implemented charges on top of charges on top of charges. I just want something for my money and that these elderly people don't have to worry about paying this money."
According to the amended ordinance, there are additional changes. Residents may request and pay for bulk items pick up, which includes furniture and appliances, but the doors of appliances must be removed and any mattresses being picked up must be covered in plastic or a notice of violation will be issued. Once residents pay the fee, the solid waste department will give a date for pick up, and items for collection must be placed at the curb no earlier than the day preceding the scheduled pick up.
Reach reporter Rebecca Sitzes at rsitzes@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Shelby Star: Kings Mountain makes changes to its bulk waste collection policy
