Residents of Hamilton can expect a change in their garbage collection schedule due to a new garbage truck recently acquired by the city. All garbage pickups originally scheduled for Monday will now take place on Tuesday. The new truck is expected to enhance the efficiency of waste management services in the area.

In addition to the garbage collection update, the city is gearing up for the Buddy Hatch River Fall Festival, set for October 26th. This all-day event will feature various activities, with some preliminary events possibly occurring the night before. A special gathering at the Hamilton Southern's house, organized by the Marion County Historic Society, will also take place on the same day, offering traditional beans and cornbread to attendees.

During the meeting, Seth Lawson, Executive Director of Dallas and Planting, addressed the council regarding preparations for an impending hurricane expected to impact Florida. Lawson detailed a coordinated effort involving 250 volunteers and multiple organizations, including the American Red Cross and Salvation Army, to provide aid and support in response to the storm. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the hurricane had intensified to a category 5, prompting immediate evacuation orders for affected areas.

Lawson's team is mobilizing resources, including box trucks and boats, to deliver supplies to those in need. He highlighted the importance of preemptive action in disaster response, stating that the time to prepare is before the storm hits, rather than after. The council expressed gratitude for Lawson's efforts and acknowledged the need for further discussion on how the city can assist in these relief efforts.

The meeting concluded with a prayer for those affected by the storm and a pledge of allegiance, followed by routine city business, including the approval of previous meeting minutes and accounts payable for August 2024. The council also discussed a donation of $25,100 for the upcoming Veterans Day program, scheduled for November 11th.