Council begins discussion on upcoming Rumpke waste-collection contract renewal; staff to open talks

Council members and staff discussed the upcoming expiration of the city’s five‑year contract with Rumpke at the Feb. 3 meeting and agreed staff should engage with the hauler and report back on pricing intentions and service options.

Public Works and administration staff said the current contract’s initial term ends in September and that the city previously used an RFP process when selecting the vendor. Council members said the city has received a handful of missed‑pickup complaints over the five‑year period but described overall service as acceptable. Staff noted prior service transitions produced more issues at the time of provider change. Council members raised specific service questions for future talks: whether Rumpke will move to fully automated (bin‑based) pickup, options for smaller recycling containers for residents who do not want the large wheeled carts, yard‑waste and compost options, and whether the hauler would offer itemized a‑la‑carte services.

Finance Director Amanda Jackson and City Administrator Matt Peebles said staff will discuss pricing intentions with Rumpke and compare consortium pricing used elsewhere, and would bring proposed terms and any potential need for an RFP back to council. Council asked staff to include potential cost projections, any escalation or surcharge language (staff noted the current contract includes a capped fuel surcharge and not an automatic renewal surcharge), and to confirm what recycling options competing haulers offer.