MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—The issue of pink signs placed in the yards of residents with delinquent sanitation bills sparked a lively debate at Monday’s Marion City Council meeting.
These signs are used by the City of Marion to indicate overdue accounts, resulting in the suspension of trash collection until bills are paid.
According to Codified Ordinance 943, residents are legally required to maintain city trash service. Those on the “Pink Sign Program” are also ineligible for curbside yard waste collection, which allows a limit of three bags or bundles per week.
Councilman Ayers Ratliff voiced strong opposition to the program, describing it as a form of “strong arm collection tactics.” He emphasized that having a pink sign in a yard means the resident’s trash will remain uncollected, and if it is not returned to their storage area, the city will charge a $50 fee for special pickup—an additional burden for those already struggling to pay their bills. “How much sense does it make when people can’t pay their bills to begin with?” Ratliff questioned. He expressed concern that this policy traps residents in a cycle of debt, particularly since they cannot seek private trash pickup due to ordinance restrictions.
Ratliff also highlighted potential health issues, noting that uncollected trash can attract pests and create odors, especially in extreme temperatures.
During the meeting, finance committee chair Twila Lang reported that the city collected $13,792 in fines from pink signs last month.
Lang insisted this was a result of the pink signs but offered no further details.
For the time being, the pink signs will remain in use, with further discussions anticipated in upcoming council meetings.