New Sanitation Schedule Improves Efficiency of City Service
The City of Valdosta Public Works Department is communicating an important message to its customers over the next few weeks concerning a change in the sanitation services schedule that will impact the service pickup dates for approximately one-third of its customers.
Beginning Monday, March 14, 2016, the city will implement a more efficient sanitation services schedule that will balance daily sanitation routes based on population and density. The schedule will change the sanitation services pickup dates for approximately one-third of city sanitation customers to a different designated day of the week. The much-needed change will improve the efficiency and customer service of the Sanitation Division, eliminate delays in sanitation pickups, and maximize the manpower and fuel resources of the department.
Sanitation customers are receiving information about the change via their utilities bills. Staff is also placing colored stickers on the green rollouts for every sanitation customer. These colored stickers have the designated pickup day printed on them to remind citizens in the coming weeks. The stickers are also color-coded with a map that appears on the city's new website, which also provides more information about the new sanitation schedule.
"Our staff is making every effort to communicate this change to citizens via the new city website, utilities bills, city newsletter, city website, Metro 17, social media, and other traditional media resources, so that all customers are aware of this change," said Public Works Director Richard Hardy. "Due to the extensive communication strategies, we anticipate a smooth transition for citizens, as well as the efficiency and production benefits that will result on account of the sanitation services schedule change."
Over the last two decades, the city has significantly grown due to annexation and development, yet few modifications have been made to the sanitation route schedule. Currently, staff is servicing 2,000 more customers on Monday than any other day of the week, often pulling workers from other services to complete route demands. The new geographically compact routes balance the daily workload for sanitation staff, with 3,000-3,500 pickups scheduled for each day. These changes will ensure that all services—the removal of residential trash, yard debris, recyclables and special pickups—will be picked up in an efficient and timely manner on the citizen's designated service day.
Citizens who do not receive a sticker attached to their trash bins by noon on March 11, 2016, or who would like more information may call Public Works at 229-259-3585. Additional information can be found at www.valdostacity.com/sanitation-schedule.