Once a Week Trash Pick Up in Lawton Starts April 5th

Once a week trash pick up in Lawton, Fort Sill will officially start on Monday, April 5th (04-05-21). The City of Lawton and City Council made the decision to go to once a week residential trash pick up awhile back at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic due to expected budget shortfalls, but delayed action until now. Originally it was suppose to happen back in October of 2020 or at least that was the target date. However, the city had to prepare for this change and ensure solid waste collection was prepared as well.

As you can imagine this decision isn't a popular one and most citizens are very upset at Lawton going from twice a week, to once a week residential trash collection. It may have been an easier pill to swallow if the city hadn't just blown 14.6 million dollars on the Central Mall purchase. That's not even counting the millions more to fix it up and renovate it for their pet FISTA project. Another unpopular decision made by the council.

Originally the reduction in trash services was to save the city money. They told us that the pandemic, lack of people paying their utility bills on time and lost tax revenues were causing serious damage to the budgets and this change, although not popular was necessary or the city could go broke. At that time I think most people understood and were on board with it, that was until the news broke that they used the CIP (Capitol Improvement Program) funds to buy the Central Mall.

I bet 14.6 million would have gone a long way with trash collection, road and sewer improvements and all kinds of other FAR MORE IMPORTANT things than a run down mall. Hopefully we'll see a return on that investment, but I seriously doubt I'll be alive or my kids, kids, kids to see that day come to pass. Now you may be wondering if you'll see a savings on your water bill. Right now residential curb side is around $18.00 to $19.00. Will the city cut that in half? I mean we're getting half the service so it only seems fair right? I can answer that question for you right now...HELL NO your bill won't go down, even one cent despite them reducing the services received.

I'll go a step further. I'm sure if twice a week residential trash pick up ever happens again, or if the city for some reason goes back to that they will DEFINITELY RAISE your water bill and change you double!

The only good news to come out of all this is the city's once a month bulk trash pick up. We're gonna need it! Below is the new schedule for trash pick up by zone and day. If you want more information on this change and on the bulk pick up dates visit the City of Lawton official website.

City of Lawton