Dothan prepares to purchase new landfill space | News

DOTHAN, AL (WSFA)- The City of Dothan is talking dirty. City commissioners took steps Tuesday to help get rid of trash and expand the current landfill. 

The city commission voted to buy 182 acres to expand the city's landfill. Leaders say this is a necessary step to make with the city continuing to grow. 

At the rate the city disposes trash, the landfill will be full in the next two years. Leaders say this purchase will allow the landfill to last another 30 years or more. 

The new property is connected to the current landfill and will cost $5,000 dollars per acre, which totals up to more than $900,000 dollars.

Leaders say the cost to get the land and make it ready to dump trash will be close to $8 million. 

"We have a little over $5 million set aside for the closure of the landfill," stated City Manager, Mike West. "Some of that money can be used to purchase this land. We hope within the next 60 days to talk about where all the money will come from." 

City Commissioner Amos Newsome added, "there may be a charge for garbage pickup. It will depend of the financial situation." Amos continued by saying, "surrounding cities in this area, they do charge for garbage fee." 

Even with the potential fee, leaders say this step had to be done in order to continue to keep the Circle City clean.  

To help with trash collection,  leaders are also discussing possibilities with recycling. It will take nearly two years to get the new land purchased and ready to collect trash.

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