DeKalb approves purchase of 500 roll-off containers and debates enforcement of commercial sanitation permit

The committee approved a change order to buy additional commercial recycling and roll-off containers from Wastequip Manufacturing Co., LLC not to exceed $362,162 to replace worn or damaged bins. Shravan Singh said the administration has identified most locations for replacements and expects to place the order before the February 2026 term extension deadline.

Commissioner Masai asked for confirmation the replacements target businesses, and COO Williams confirmed most have been identified. Commissioners requested an email to the full commission with anticipated lead times and delivery schedules.

During the discussion Commissioner Terry raised a separate governance and revenue concern: he said the county’s solid-waste permit requires commercial enterprises to use DeKalb Sanitation and suggested that the administration is not enforcing that requirement, potentially leaving "millions of dollars on the table." Interim County Attorney Phillips offered to revisit the prior memo on the permit and recommended that COO Williams coordinate with law to bring a plan back to the commission about enforcement options.

The committee approved the container purchase and asked the administration and law department to clarify the permit language and enforcement pathway.