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Flint's trash pickup dispute is heading back to court

Garbage truck in Flint.
Steve Carmody
/
Michigan Radio
Garbage truck in Flint.

The Flint city council is asking a judge for an injunction to stop the city’s mayor from cancelling a contract with the city’s trash hauler.

The mayor wants to replace Republic Services with another firm --  Rizzo Environmental Services. RES has ties to her supporters.  The company would begin picking Flint’s garbage on Monday.

Councilman Scott Kincaid says the city council must approve the contract.

“Our goal is to have the administration bring a resolution for the lowest bid for three years,” says Kincaid, “and the company is Republic.”

Mayor Karen Weaver says her decision to hire Rizzo Environmental Services is “fiscally responsible.” 

“The citizens of Flint elected me to serve and protect the health, safety, and well-being of all residents in the city. I took an oath to make decisions that are in the best interest of the citizens and the City of Flint,” Weaver said in a written statement.  

Earlier this month, the Michigan Court of Appealssided with Weaver in her dispute with the city council over who will pick up Flint’s trash.

In that case, the lower court judge had blocked the mayor’s effort to hire Rizzo without city council approval and ordered the city to keep Republic on the job while the council and mayor tried to reach an agreement.

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
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