The Storm Lake City Council on Monday unanimously renewed Carroll Refuse Service’s permit to operate residential garbage collection in 2026, as required annually by City Code.
The item was moved from the consent agenda to the regular agenda at the request of councilperson Maggie Martinez, who raised concerns about recurring service issues.
Martinez asked directly about reports of leaking liquids from compactor trucks.
City of Storm Lake Building Official Scott Olesen confirmed multiple complaints last year, citing separate incidents.
City Manager Keri Navratil noted Carroll Refuse crews did respond to clean up debris after the Jan. 5 spill on Fifth Street referenced by Martinez.
Council members pressed further on corrective actions.
Olesen outlined steps Carroll Refuse is taking to address the recurring problem of liquid leaks from compactor trucks, including replacing seals, rethinking pickup order, and encouraging crews to dump loads more frequently. He noted certain times of year, such as when schools are in session and milk cartons add to the liquid volume, require extra attention.
Beyond equipment fixes, Mayor Meg McKeon emphasized the need for community education to reduce overfilled cans and improper recycling that contribute to spills.
Navratil explained that Carroll Refuse submitted all required documentation, including proof of vehicle registration, liability insurance naming the city as an additional insured, and payment of the $100 annual license fee. She clarified that no other garbage haulers have applied recently, but the permit process is not exclusive to one company. Under City Code 3-1-5(c), permits expire each year and must be renewed for haulers to continue operating in Storm Lake.
