Council approves seven-year extension with Republic Services, freezes residential rates through 2027

The Colony City Council approved a seven-year amendment to the city's contract with Republic Services that will run from June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2032, and freezes residential rates for the first two years of the extension.

The amendment, presented by Molly Ozar, director of customer services, passed after council discussion and a motion to approve. Ozar said the city seeks continuity with Republic because the company already operates local routes, provides a dedicated route supervisor and supports city cleanups and educational programs.

Ozar told the council, "we are looking for a 7 year term with Republic." She described operational benefits the city relies on: two annual city cleanups that drew about 529 cars in the most recent event, roughly 30 tons of mixed solid waste and 15 tons of green waste per cleanup, and delivery of compost loads for municipal plantings. She added the contract includes renewed educational efforts to reduce recycling contamination, noting earlier sticker campaigns lowered the city's contamination rate from the high 20s'30s percent range to about 17 percent.

Under terms summarized in the staff presentation, residential rates will remain at current levels through May 31, 2027. For years three through five of the extended contract, residential adjustments will be tied to the consumer price index and landfill cost indices as in the current contract. Commercial and industrial customers will see a 7% increase in each of the first two years of the amendment; subsequent annual adjustments will be based on landfill cost increases.

Republic Services representatives on hand included Bailey Deeds, operations supervisor for industrial and commercial services, and the company will continue to provide recycling cart replacements at no charge and on-site VITA and education collaborations with the city.

A council member on the solid-waste committee described the agreement as a preferable alternative to soliciting a new vendor and risking service disruptions, and other council members voiced support for continuing the established partnership.

Council made a motion and seconded it; the mayor called for a vote and the item passed. No individual roll-call vote tally for each council member was recorded in the public discussion.

The council directed staff to work with Republic on the planned education sticker campaign and other resident outreach to reduce recycling contamination.

Votes at a glance: the motion to approve the Republic Services contract amendment passed during the regular session.