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York City council approves Goods Disposal contract; mayor warns of steep short-term rate increases
Summary
After receiving a single bid, the council voted to approve a contract with Goods Disposal to maintain refuse and recycling collection beginning May 1. The mayor said the first-year cost represents about a $1.745 million, or 66 percent, increase over the current contract; the city expects residents to see higher bills in the third quarter.
The York City Council voted unanimously March 4 to approve a contract with Goods Disposal for refuse, recycling curbside and container collection services to begin May 1, 2025.
The mayor told council the city has solicited haulers three times since July 2024 and received only one bid. “Ultimately...the bid from Goods Disposal plus our cost-saving measure of bringing some services in house is roughly $4 million, an increase of $1,745,000 for the first year, or 66% over our current contract,” the mayor said.
To limit the impact, the mayor said the city will rebid its dumpster contract and bring some services back in house, including emptying street containers and large-item pickups. He said the city expects to hire about five employees and ready vehicles and supplies to operate those services internally.
City staff estimated the worst-case monthly increase to customers at about $18.14 for residential accounts and $36.28 for commercial accounts. The mayor said those operating figures could change as the city finalizes the dumpster contract and its in-house start-up costs. He said residents should expect billing changes in the third quarter of 2025.
Don Newcomb, president of Goods Disposal, said his company has provided services regionally for more than 50 years and had worked with city staff on the contract. “We've got really no issues with the contract,” Newcomb said at the meeting.
Council members asked when increases would appear on bills; the mayor and staff said billing adjustments are expected in the third quarter once the city completes switchovers and accounts. The contract includes an annual escalator clause, the mayor said, and future increases may be passed along by the hauler.
The resolution authorizing the contract was introduced at the meeting and passed on roll call. The clerk recorded five yes votes and no dissenting votes. The mayor and city staff said the change is necessary to maintain uninterrupted trash services by May 1.
