Alabama City Will No Longer Prosecute Residents for Falling Behind on Their Trash Bills

CHICKASAW, Ala. — The city of Chickasaw, Alabama, is working with the SPLC to nol pros (i.e., dismiss) pending criminal charges for delinquent sewer and garbage payments. As a good faith gesture, the city also is agreeing to place a moratorium on new prosecutions for residents who have fallen behind on their garbage and sewage bills.

“The well-being of the residents of this city is our top priority,” said Nash Campbell, city attorney for Chickasaw. “We recognize that many residents in our city are financially struggling and we plan to work with the SPLC to address the concerns they have raised about the city’s garbage suspension policies and theft of services prosecutions.”

“Chickasaw is a beautiful city and we want to keep it that way by instilling measures that work with residents and not against them,” Campbell said. “Like many of its citizens, the city is also financially hurting and trying to find ways to stay above water. In February, voters rejected a proposed millage increase that would have helped fund city services and personnel,” Campbell said. He noted that “Chickasaw currently has some of the lowest ad valorem taxes in the state.”

Earlier this month, SPLC attorneys sent a letter to the city of Chickasaw outlining why prosecuting residents for late trash and sewage bills violates state and federal law. The letter asked that the city rescind an ordinance that authorized up to a $500 fine and 10 days in jail if a person failed to pay their garbage or sewage bills. After reviewing the SPLC’s letter, Chickasaw agreed to review its billing notices and suspension policies, dismiss all pending criminal charges related to billing, and to place a moratorium on new prosecutions for residents who fall behind on their garbage and sewage bills.

“We are pleased that the city of Chickasaw will no longer prosecute people for late payment of their garbage fees and will examine its suspension policies,” said SPLC Senior Staff Attorney Micah West. “We commend the city for responding to the concerns raised by its residents struggling to make ends meet. SPLC looks forward to working in good faith with city leadership to ensure that no one is punished simply because they are experiencing poverty.”

The SPLC campaign to end prosecution for nonpayment of trash fees began in Valley, Alabama. Between 2004 and 2021, nearly 600 people had been arrested for falling behind on their garbage bills. In 2023, the SPLC successfully persuaded the Chambers County, Alabama, district attorney to stop criminally prosecuting people who fall behind on their garbage bills; to rescind all warrants; and to remit any fines and costs.