A new company will be collecting garbage in the city of Selma next year after Advanced Disposal’s contract runs out at the end of January.

The Selma City Council voted Tuesday night to sign a contract with Sea Coast Disposal, Inc. for two and a half years to collect garbage.

“We’re just excited to be a part of Selma’s community, and we’re looking forward to getting started in February,” said Matthew Brigance, president of Sea Coast.

Selma Mayor George Evans made the recommendation to council members Tuesday night, and it was a unanimous vote.

“A lot of weight is lifted off of us because we have a company that is anxious to get here and work,” Evans said.

Evans said he is confident Sea Coast will do a good job once they get started in February.

“I think as we go through this transition, it is going to be very favorable for the city and the citizens,” Evans said. “Based on our research and checking what they’ve done in other business, they have done a good job.”

The city was faced with finding a new company or taking on bill collection itself after Advanced Disposal opted not to renew its contract. Advanced said its reason for opting not to renew its current contract was due to a large amount of customers not paying their bills. Advanced estimated nearly half of the people signed up for service were not paying.

Evans said Sea Coast will be responsible for collecting garbage and fees for its service and that the company was aware of the glaring issue of people not paying.

Selma residents currently pay $15 a month for regular service with Advanced Disposal, but that price will go up to $20 a month when Sea Coast takes over in February.

Brigance said Sea Coast will spend the next few months teaming up with the city to educate Selma residents and keep them informed about their service and signing up.

Evans said it is important to keep people informed and aware of the transition.

“I think it is important that we do as much as we can to get the word out and get people on board to start signing up for garbage services,” Evans said.

“They are going to disseminate information and have town hall meetings to get everybody on board and let them know that a transition is going to take place.”

Evans said there will be town hall meetings in November and December, and he expects new carts to be delivered to homes in January. Evans said one of the benefits is that Sea Coast is a local company, which he thinks will make service better for citizens.

“By them being here it makes them neighbors. It makes them feel like one of us by being here and operating here,” Evans said.

Evans said dates for town hall meetings will be announced in the next few weeks.