Lake Co. could cut trash pickup to once a week

ASTATULA, Fla. — Lake County residents could be in for a shock when they put out their trash in the coming months.

The county is negotiating a new deal for trash pickup which could cutback collection to once a week.

Many residents have no idea what may be on the way.

Homeowner George Pendola of Astatula likes a clean car, a finely manicured lawn and Lake County trash pickup twice a week.

"It's been two days all along and we need it. They should keep it. Seriously. Especially with this heat and these animals around here. It's going to be a nightmare," Pendola said.

Pendola said the smell from seven days worth of garbage would be terrible, especially for homeowners whose homeowner associations require the containers stay in the garage.

The county will soon negotiate a new deal for pickup. It's asking contractors to bid on a one day a week service.

A task force tackled the issue and endorsed the cost cutting plan.

"We don't want to charge everybody else for twice a week pickup, just because one community might want it," said Lake County commissioner Jimmy Conner.

County commission chair Leslie Campione asked for a 60-day delay before collecting bids to get more input from residents, but the majority on the board refused.

"Well, that feels pretty lame when people are telling you that this is going to impact them directly, and they'd at least like to know that all options were fully vetted," Campione said.

George Pendola said he'd pay more to keep his current service. He said he thinks most people will say that's fine.

"Because it's more of a problem dealing with the garbage that dealing with a little money here and there," Pendola said.

The county has 67,000 trash collection customers. Homeowners currently pay $184 a year.

WFTV