By Billy Davis

Customers of Panola County Solid Waste will get a month’s free pick-up if they pay in advance for 11 months of service under new rules drafted by the county office and approved by supervisors.

Some of the guidelines are new, such as the free month’s service, while others recently relayed to The Panolian are “reminders” to the public, said solid waste clerk Jennifer Jackson.

A second new rule, now in effect, is a $1 late fee for garbage bills that are not paid by the 15th of the month.

“We definitely want the public to be aware of that,” she said, citing the number of bills routinely paid later in the month. 

County Administrator Kelley Magee has conferred with Jackson and Solid Waste manager Jimmy Carlini to nail down a list of proposed changes to the ordinance. The trio then approached supervisors with their proposed list.

Supervisors voted in April to approve an updated ordinance. The ordinance was published as a legal ad in The Panolian on May 1, 8 and 15.

Among rules and regulations, both new and old, relayed to The Panolian are:

•Cans should be on the roadway by 7 a.m. on pick-up day.

•Customers may utilize bank draft instead of mailing monthly payments.

•A garbage can will not be picked up if it contains a dead animal or human waste. Diapers are excluded but should be placed in a bag.

•A household should have its 911 address clearly labeled.

Carlini suggested this requirement after Solid Waste employees, while dropping off a new can, often have trouble locating the home’s address.

•The property owner, even if renting a residential property, is responsible for the monthly bill.

•The weight limit for a can is 200 pounds. The resident is responsible for paying for a new can if it is damaged. 

The county officials also advised that the handle of the can should face the road for easier pick-up.

In past years, Solid Waste customers were asked to turn the handles inward for a mechanical arm to pick up the can. Solid Waste now uses workers, most often state inmates, to pick up cans.

Magee told The Panolian that the solid waste ordinance has been virtually untouched since it was adopted in 1993 by Panola County government.

The monthly fee was raised from $9 to $11 in 1997, accounting for the biggest change to date, she said.

An increase in the fee was not discussed, Jackson said.

In the early 1990s a solid waste ordinance was adopted in counties across the state with direction from the Miss. Department of Environmental Quality.

The introduction of a pick-up service eradicated the presence of ugly, smelly dumpsites or dumpsters, and obvious health hazards and environmental impact.

Panola County Solid Waste currently serves 9,000 customers in rural Panola County, and also customers in Batesville, Crenshaw and Como. Eighty-three commercial customers are also served.

The daily operation of Solid Waste falls under the duties of the county administrator, with supervisors providing oversight. 

To contact Panola County Solid Waste, call 563-6200.