Jackson leaders talk strategies to tackle illegal dumping, littering

JACKSON, Tenn. — Jackson city leaders and department heads shared ideas on how to fix what they call an ongoing problem throughout the city.

City council members, the city mayor and the planning, growth and development department met Thursday afternoon to create an improvement plan on how to tackle illegal dumping and littering across Jackson’s districts.

SEE ALSO (03/31/25): City councilman calls attention to illegal dumping in his district

“We have a great team in the codes department and the health and sanitation department. Each time that I ask them to do anything they generally do it quickly in order to benefit the neighbors. So it was really good today to have the mayor, other city council people and the public here today to discuss this in the open,” said Richard Donnell, district 4 councilman City of Jackson.

Thursday’s meeting was inspired after city council members were asking question during the budgeting process about ways to tackle this issue.

Jackson Mayor Scott Conger planned the meeting so department heads and city council leaders can find a solution. This was also a time for some residents to express their concerns.

“I hope we can lengthen the period of time from the time trash is illegally put out and the time it takes for the city to pick it up. Because, as I said, neighbors who take case of their property have to live with the eyesores that are out there,” said Donnell.

Residents shared that some of their neighbors have high grass, animal waste, or trash outside of their home that limits their enjoyment in their neighborhood.

Department leaders were relieved to know they can provide some solutions.

“Well the most important thing we want to see come out of this is try to get things done as quickly as we can. There’s a legal process that we have to notify people but we want to do it as efficiently and quickly as we can so the problem goes away quicker,” said Stan Pilant, planning director.

If residents are facing similar problems there are two solutions.

“311 is very important, they can make reports through 311 also. You saw the council was here and their constituents called them directly and they passed along that information on to us,” said Pilant.

City council members and the planning, growth and development department leaders were glad for this conversation and hope many of the problems are resolved.

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