Suddith said the recent announcement changes for the City’s Public Works Department are “things that could be implemented immediately.”

“Sanitation was very simple to figure out,” Suddith said. “The other departments are still working to see what can be done.”

Effective next month, the city will be reducing its garbage collection days. The city will also be going to a four-day work week for the Public Works Department.

Benson said the city’s new sanitation department changes will take effect on Aug. 4.

“Due to increased fuel charges and operational costs, the City of Laurel Public Works Department will operate four days a week,” Benson said. “Along with this change will come a change in the garbage collection schedule.”

Residents in the city currently enjoy two days of garbage collections. However, in an effort to reduce cost, the city will begin one day a week collections in August.

According to Benson, residents whose garbage is currently picked up on Monday and Thursday will have Monday only pickup. She said those residents who are on the Tuesday and Friday schedule will have Tuesday only pickup.

Suddith said fuel cost was a primary reason, however, other issues were factors in the recent decision.

“We are spending $1,000 on diesel fuel each day just for the four garbage trucks alone,” he said.

Based on costs from April, May and June of last year verses the costs for the same time frame this year, Benson said, the city expects to reduce the cost of operations in the Public Works Department by approximately $61,000 with the new schedule.

“In April, May and June of 2008, fuel cost was $17,591.02 compared to the cost in April, May and June of 2007 being $9,882.06 _ which shows a $7,708.96 increase in fuel cost,” she explained. “Based on a four-day work week, where we go to a two-day garbage pickup schedule instead of a four-day pickup schedule, we project a $61,568.52 saving per year.”

Under the new schedule, officials said, commercial and household trash pickup services will still be available just as before.

Benson said residents must call 601-428-6455 to schedule a pickup.

“Currently (commercial and household trash pickup) services are performed on Wednesday only,” she said. “The new plan provides services rotating from Ward to Ward, Monday - Thursday.”

Officials emphasized that the changes in the sanitation department will not result in any layoffs.