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The City of Selma is having fallout over its new Garbage Ordinance and invoices sent by Liberty Disposal.

The Selma City Council recently adopted an ordinance that transitioned payment responsibility from non property owners to property owners.

Property owners are responsible for paying LDI through three different ways: online at www.ldi89.com, phone, 334-782-1702 or dropbox at 2128 Highland Avenue, Selma, Alabama, 36701.

Selma City Councilman Clay Carmichael, chairman of the garbage system, understands the situation.

“We know there are issues with this ordinance,” Carmichael said. “We took a unanimous vote to extend the effective date of the ordinance and work these issues out in committee but were vetoed in our attempt to do so.”

Several Selma residents said they’ve been unable to contact LDI. They voiced their complaints on Social Media.

“I have emailed and left messages,” Susan Jones said. “No one has returned either. Very frustrating. It would be nice to have a live person answering calls. I just don’t understand why customer service isn’t better in situations like this, especially when so many have questions.”

Jule Raine Booker said her family’s property records are out of date. She said they’ve received three invoices for properties they have not owned for 8 to 16 months.

“I have called and left messages but no one with LDI has returned my calls,” Booker said. “We are certainly not going to pay these invoices.”

Travis Barnes suggested that the city should have gone back into the garbage business by reversing the legalities related to the separation on the Waterworks from the City.

“It is overbearing in that I have tenants who are already signed up with Liberty and are paying for their garbage pickup,” Barnes said. “I also have tenants who have access garbage dumpsters who now will have to reimburse me for garbage pickup that they do not need and still may not even use.”

Carmichael is optimistic that things will be worked out.

“ I’m sure the executive branch will bring this back to us when these issues arise, or maybe, and I hope, everything works out,” Carmichael said. “ I think the biggest issue we’re seeing now is overbilling from LDI. I think that’s just a mistake, which may turn out costly but will be corrected over time.”