Elgin council approves extension of Waste Management hauling contract amid discussion of rates and recycling options

The Elgin City Council on Aug. 5 authorized the interim city manager to execute an extension of the city’s solid waste collection and disposal contract with Waste Management of Texas Inc., approving a first‑year maximum increase and a process for future annual adjustments.

City staff and a Waste Management representative briefed the council before the vote, outlining service levels, customer counts and the proposed pricing structure. “Elgin collects about 200 tons of trash a month within the city limits,” a city staff presenter said, describing weekly residential collection, biweekly recycling and quarterly bulk pickup. The presenter noted the city has about 3,400 residential carts and roughly 50 commercial accounts that use cart service rather than dumpsters.

Why it matters: the contract sets the structure for residential and commercial hauling and how price adjustments will occur during the extension period. Residents and businesses will see a one‑time first‑year increase (capped at 5% under the extension proposal) and a change in how future increases are applied in years two and three.

Public comment and staff presentation Stacy Savage, who identified herself as founder and CEO of 0 Waste…