City of Alton - Committee of the Whole Meeting
ALTON – Alton officials may update the process to request an abatement of trash fees at a vacant residence.
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Committee of the Whole members approved an item to amend a section of the City Code regarding garbage and refuse charges and abatement at their Aug. 24, 2026 meeting.
Under the current City Code, once a residential unit has gone over 31 days without city-provided water service, the city stops charging for trash service at the residence. However, the abatement of trash fees only takes effect after the Comptroller’s Office receives a written request for abatement.
The resolution propose updated language to reflect the fact the city no longer provides residents with water and wastewater services. The city agreed to sell its wastewater treatment plant to Illinois American Water in 2018.
Instead, the proposed resolution outlines an updated process for property owners to request abatement of trash service charges at a residential address.
Owners of residential properties subject to the city’s municipal waste contract with Republic Services would be able to submit a written request for abatement to the Comptroller’s Office as long as the residential unit will be vacant for a minimum of 90 days. The city would then officially stop charging for trash service starting the first day of the month after the abatement request is sent.
“The certification will also include the acknowledgment of the property owner that the trash account will be closed with the current trash vendor, and all trash receptacles will be collected by said vendor upon closure,” the proposed resolution states.
The resolution now goes to the City Council for consideration this Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026. If approved, the item will return for a first reading and final vote in ordinance form at future meetings.
A full recording of the Aug. 24, 2026 Alton Committee of the Whole meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.
