County Commission approves new policy to pursue delinquent solid waste accounts

The Franklin County Commission approved a  policy giving the Franklin County Solid Waste Department authority to act against customers who fail to pay their garbage pickup fees and are at least five months in arrears. 

Commissioners approved the new delinquent account policy at their December 15th business meeting. 

In order for the policy to trigger against a Solid Waste customer, that account holder must have failed or refused to pay monthly solid waste/sanitation bills for at lest five months from their due date.

Once the five month arrearage is reached, the customer will have 30 days to make payment in full on the delinquent account. If the customer fails to pay all past due amounts, the account is deemed ‘in default’ pursuant to the new policy.

Remedies available for customers in default include repossession of the customer’s garbage cart and an automatic $75 per garbage cart service/reset fee being added to the account. 

At the expiration of the time set forth in the 30 day delinquency notice, if payment in full has not been made, the account shall be deemed a ‘Refusal to Pay,’ and shall be turned over to the Franklin County Solid Waste Department’s collection attorney, and the Franklin County Health Department shall be notified.

Alabama law requires mandatory participation in a solid waste collection service provided by the customer’s local county unless an exemption or exception has been granted. This mandatory participation obligation is described in the Code of Alabama Section 22-27-1.

Additionally, the new policy includes a provision requiring a customer deemed ‘in default’ to make payment in full for six months of service in advance, as well as satisfying all arrearage amounts owed.

The policy follows months of back and forth discussions between the Franklin County Commission, Solid Waste Manager Gene Ward and Franklin County Attorney Evan Hargett.

The new policy begins in January 2026. All new customers subscribing to the Franklin County Solid Waste Department for solid waste collection/removal shall be given a copy of the new policy at their request.

In other agenda items at the December 15th meeting, commissioners:

—authorizing an invitation to bid for mobile breath alcohol testing devices that will be paid for by Highway Safety grants at no cost to the county. 

—authorized Probate Judge Barry Moore to sign an agreement with the Association of County Commissions of Alabama for the county’s liability self-insurance fund coverage available through the ACCA.

—tabled any action regarding a proposed Annual Leave Payout Policy in order to obtain feedback from county employees as to how they would feel about a  policy that would give them the option of taking an annual payout in lieu of taking annual leave.

—tabled action on proposed roof repairs on the Franklin County Commission Annext building.

—approved the resignation of Colby Haney from Custodian/Housekeeper/Groundskeeper.

—approved the repair of the Belgreen weather siren.

—vacated the public right-of-way on Husey Hammock Road for a distance of 3,200 feet from the intersection of the centerline of Husey Hammock Road and Massey Road to the end of the dead end.

—held a public hearing to receive input on the proposed vacating of Husey Hammock Road. There was no public input either for or against the proposed vacating.

—approved the retirement of Certified Real Property Appraiser Lori Pencil and authorized advertisement for a Non-Certified Real Property Appraiser.

—approved hiring Chris Pierce as a Permanent Corrections Officer/Dispatcher in the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and tabled action on hiring a second Corrections Officer/Dispat Cher.

—rejected the two bids received for the purchase and installation of cameras at the Franklin County Jail as the specs submitted did not match the invitation to bid. The commission will rebid the project with additional details.

—approved the hiring of two Part-Time Courthouse Security Officers, Robert Hicks and Charles Michael.

—approved the purchase of a non-CDL garbage truck for the Solid Waste Department. Financing for the difference between the purchase price of the truck on the state bid website and the insurance settlement will be bid out for the lowest available interest rate.

—approved the resignation of Arlon Glasgow from the Franklin County Water Service Authority Board and appointed Dale Green.

—approved the appointment of Craig Grissom to the Franklin County Department of Human Resources Board.

—presented a resolution to Katernia Cole-Coffey, Franklin County Extensive Service Director, honoring and congratulating her for being named the 2025 Alabama County Extension Director of the Year.

Franklin County Extension Service Director Katernia Cole-Coffey, third from left, receives a framed copy of a resolution from the Franklin County Commission honoring her for being named the 2025 Alabama County Extension Service Director of the Year. From left, Commissioner Tracie Clark, Probate Judge Barry Moore, Cole-Coffey, Commissioners Joseph Baldwin and Grayson Murray and Kristina Rossin with Franklin County Extension.

The next work session for the Franklin County Commission will be January 12, 2026 and the monthly business meeting will be at 8:30 a.m., on January 20, 2026.