Crown Point approves new trash contract with Republic

CROWN POINT — Residents will see a phased-in increase of $2.11 in their monthly trash collection rate over the next six years but still will have the lowest rates in the area.

The Board of Public Works and Safety this week approved extending the contract for trash collection with Republic Services, gradually raising the rate over the current rate of $13.26 per month per residence.

“We have stair-stepped the entire (rate increase) process,” Mayor David Uran said.

The rate will remain un- changed until September 2015 when the first increase goes into effect, according to a price comparison provided by city officials. Beginning September 2015, the rate will rise to $13.66 per month, then to $14.07 per month in September 2016, $14.49 in September 2017, $14.92 a year later and $15.37 in September 2019, according to the contract.

Uran said the final 2019 rate is less than Crown Point’s neighboring communities pay for trash collection.

Collection rates for Lowell, St. John and Cedar Lake this year are $16.48, $16.30 and $16.96 per month, respectively. In six years, Lowell residents will pay $19.68 per month, St. John’s will pay $20.04 and those in Cedar Lake will pay $20.85.

Uran attributed the good deal that Crown Point gets for trash collection in part to former Mayor James Metros, who negotiated the first deal with Republic in 1999 and now works for the company. He said it’s also helpful that Republic has an office and trash transfer station in the city.

City council president Robert Clemons said the city’s contracts with Republic Services have saved taxpayers thousands of dollars over the years. He said Crown Point does not have to pay a fuel surcharge that’s attached to the bills in many other towns.