Board approves barcode stickers and iPad scanners for yard-waste sites to speed customer checks

The La Crosse Board of Public Works on March 23 approved a request from refuse and recycling staff to purchase iPad Air 11‑inch devices and barcode scanners to support a change in the yard-waste sticker program.

Nick, a city staff member, said the stickers now include barcodes and can be scanned at the yard-waste site to display resident and vehicle information and renewal status, which will reduce the need to ask for receipts and cut mailing costs. "These stickers will be good for the '26, '27, and '28 season," Nick said, adding the change will save on purchasing stickers and postage.

Council members asked why the item was not on the capital equipment budget; staff said finance directs that purchases under $10,000 are typically handled at the departmental level and not through the capital equipment request process. The board approved the purchase unanimously.

The purchase is intended to speed resident entry at yard-waste sites and reduce administrative burden; IT confirmed the devices had been cleared for use.