Council reviews recycling survey and early cost estimates for a citywide program

Fruit Heights councilors reviewed a staff-created recycling survey and discussed the design and cost of a potential citywide recycling program, including subscription options and projected multi-year rates.

Staff said the survey will be finalized and asked council members to review the questions before outreach. The discussion covered program mechanics, pricing and contamination risk. A staff presenter said the city can contract for recycling service and that under current negotiation the contractor’s rates would be fixed for three years; councilors said they want the public to see realistic figures before the program is promoted.

Officials discussed two cost figures during the meeting: one council member described a scenario in which a municipal program could add about $4 per household for a can and hauling; staff said a city-run subscription option might be provided as a city-managed program at about $15 per household in some scenarios, and that a contractor’s negotiated rate is fixed for three years. “So the four dollar cost is for the can and for the hauling,” a staff member said during the discussion. Councilors asked for clear, written figures for public outreach.

Councilors also reviewed voluntary green‑waste pickup and were told about diversion rates: staff reported that a voluntary green-waste program currently diverts roughly 15% of what otherwise would go to landfill. The council did not take a formal vote; staff were asked to finalize survey wording and return cost estimates and contract terms at a later meeting.