JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – On Tuesday, the Jackson City Council is expected to vote on whether to award Richard’s Disposal a six-year contract for garbage pickup.

The city’s emergency contract with Richard’s is set to expire on March 31, 2024.

Under the proposed contract, the city would pay the company $891,000 per month, which includes the cost of purchasing and delivery of up to 45,000 carts to residents. However, residents are not required to get a cart.

“If you want to put bags out, you can choose to do that. If you have another cart that is your favorite cart, and you choose to use that, you can use that if you don’t want a cart as a resident. You can choose to decline and not get a cart. They help keep our neighborhoods clean. Actually, when you don’t have trash bags, then rodents, dogs, any manner of of animals get into and then carry the trash away or spread it across the city. The cart helps protect against that,” said Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba.

Councilman Kenneth Stokes, Ward 3, also has a proposed ordinance on Tuesday’s agenda. If approved, the ordinance would prohibit the city from awarding Richard’s Disposal the garbage contract.