Low volume trash rates available for senior citizens

Rates for trash pickup will increase as City Council members approved a resolution authorizing an increase in trash collection with Allied Services, doing business as Republic Services, per the contract.

The contract approved in 2021, allows for Republic to increase rates.

Prior to April 2021, there were three companies picking up solid waste in the city limits.

Single service trash pickup was approved by the City Council in 2020. The city advertised for bids and Republic Waste Management was the only company to bid. At the Dec. 29, 2020, Council meeting, council members approved the bid.

At the time, city officials had questions, including how Republic intended to provide service for lowvolume customers and how would they serve people who are unable to take their trash bin to the curb.

Jennifer Fagan, municipal manager for Republic, said there is a reduced price for low-volume customers and there is a valet service for people who can’t get their trash to the curb. Customers will be responsible to contacting Republic to set up arrangements for those services, Fagan said. Recycling is offered and involves a separate dumpsters.

The guidelines for rates for low volume trash, according to city officials, are:

• For persons 65 years of age and older;

• For persons with low trash volume (one to two bags per trash pickup): and

• Proof of birthday.

Residents are still able to take advantage of recycling services would could make the difference between the normal rate of $15.88 for regular customers and $12.13 for the low volume rate.

Republic does monitor the trash bins being emptied. Filing for Low Volume rate with large volume trash may result in rate being adjusted to normal price.

Anyone who qualifies and is interested in getting signed up may either go to the Water Department or call 479-451-1109.