Everman holds public hearing on trash, recycling as Waste Connections lays out rate, cart options

Everman City Council held a public hearing Feb. 11 on garbage, waste and recycling services as the city negotiates renewal of its franchise agreement with Waste Connections, the company’s district manager told council.

The hearing matters because trash service is billed directly to residents (through the water bill) rather than through the general fund, city staff emphasized, meaning any change would have a direct monthly effect on household costs.

Abel Moreno, district manager for Waste Connections, told the council and public the current residential rate is $17.50 a month and outlined five scenarios: keeping the current “take-all” service (two pickups per week, recycling once per week); switching to automated side-load carts twice weekly with recycling once weekly; twice-weekly carts with no citywide recycling; once-week carts with recycling; and once-week carts with no recycling. He said the company’s initial pricing proposals included a first-year increase to $21.70 for maintaining current service, rising to $23.83 in year two if that option were chosen, and an $18.55-per-month proposal for twice-weekly automated cart pickup with weekly recycling.

Moreno said contamination in the city’s recycling stream is high: roughly half of Everman households use recycling service and about 40% of that material is contaminated and sent to landfill. “This is a safe place. We can all voice our opinions,” Moreno said while presenting options and trade-offs.

Other price points Moreno gave included a roughly $16.50–$18.55 range for some cart options, a once-week cart option that could fall to about $11 per month (if recycling is removed), a subscription recycling option of $12 per month for households that opt in, and a second cart available for $7 per month. He also described commercial rates that currently run about $4.45 per yard and that would rise to about $5.77 in the scenarios presented. For special bulk pickup with a crane (claw truck), Moreno estimated $35–$50 per yard as a subscription service.

Residents who spoke at the hearing asked operational questions and raised concerns. Felipe Muniz asked whether the contractor offers crane pickup for bulky items; Moreno said the service can be made available as a subscription. Janice Hope, who said she has lived in Everman for more than 50 years, praised the crew: “I have seen our trash pickup and the guys that work, and they work so hard in the heat. … I really appreciate it,” she said, adding that she is concerned about improper curb-side dumping and urged better enforcement. Judy Greason asked about practical impacts for people who produce little trash and about mobility accommodations; staff said backdoor service would be available for qualifying residents.

City staff and Waste Connections encouraged residents to complete an online survey (nearly 300 responses so far) and to attend a second public hearing Feb. 25. Staff said an ordinance to authorize the new franchise agreement or amended terms is expected to be presented at the council’s March 11 meeting.

The hearing included explanation of service logistics (bulk limits, landfill use, recycling contamination) and operational commitments: Moreno said that if the city chooses carts, existing workers would not be laid off but positions would not be backfilled when employees leave. He also said cart-based systems typically allow drivers to pick up carts mechanically, which can reduce long-term labor and injury costs.

Next steps: council will hold a second public hearing Feb. 25 and staff plans to return on March 11 with an ordinance recommendation and final contract language for council consideration.