Knox residents will have a new trash and recycling company starting next month. During a special meeting Tuesday, the city council awarded the bid for solid waste and recycling to Republic Services.
Mayor Dennis Estok said the switch will save almost $268,000 over the next three years, when compared to sticking with Waste Management. “So, basically, that’s a no-brainer,” Estok said.
But residents’ fees will still go up, since they currently aren’t enough to cover the actual cost. That increase will come out to $1.70 over three years, to a new total of $15.30. The city council will now have to decide whether to raise that all at once or spread it out to match Republic Services’ yearly increases.
Residents can expect to see some changes to trash and recycling pickup. Estok said Republic Services will provide 96-gallon totes for both trash and recycling. “A lot of the seniors aren’t going to be able to handle the 96 toters,” Estok noted, “and he did say that, basically, if requested, that they will get them the smaller 64, which I’m going to be the first one to request. I don’t need two 96-gallon toters in my garage.”
But Estok hopes to keep trash and recycling pickup on the same days. He said there’s also still work to do on the contract, to bring it in line with the city’s specifications. The city also had to check various parts of the bid for hidden fees.
Meanwhile, Winamac residents may also soon be paying more for trash and recycling pickup. The town council is looking at implementing a five-dollar fee starting in January. Currently, Winamac residents are not directly charged for the service. Residents will be able to weigh in during a public hearing next Monday at 5:30 p.m. EDT in the Winamac Municipal Utilities Complex.
