Some Seminole County residents could be fined hundreds of dollars for not taking out their trash at the right time as part of a new crackdown aimed at reducing conflicts with black bears.
Under a new ordinance proposed by Seminole County commissioners, residents in certain areas of the county will be required to wait until 5 a.m. of pickup day to put out their trash. Then, after it's picked up, they will have to get their can back by 8 p.m. that night.
The Kissmans, who live near Heathrow, said they would not have a problem following the proposed ordinance.
"It will not be any difference for me. It's fine," said Mary Ellen Kissman. "I bring it up early — you know, 6:30, 7 —and then I bring it back as soon as the garbage is emptied."
But Bob Kissman admitted it could be a challenge for people who work in the evening.
"I would think anybody working 4–12 would have a challenge getting the cans in by 8 o'clock, especially if they pick up at 3 and they're already gone," he said.
If passed, most Seminole County residents west of I-4 and some just east of the interstate would have to comply with the new ordinance.
This map shows the proposed area impacted by the ordinance:
(Seminole County)
Residents found in violation could be fined $100 a day for the first five offenses, and $200 a day thereafter.
County leaders said they did not plan to spend a lot of extra money to enforce the rules, but would depend on neighbors to report anyone in violation. Someone from the county would then go to verify the noncompliance in person.
Residents with bear-resistant trash cans would be exempt from the required times.
County Commissioner Lee Constantine, who wants to see mandatory bear-resistant cans for all residents west of I-4, called the ordinance a step in the right direction.
The County Commission is scheduled to consider the new measure at a public hearing Tuesday, Dec. 8.