Maumee committee initiates work on residential refuse options; RFP, survey and compost pilot discussed

Committee members reviewed the residential refuse request-for-proposal process and agreed to accelerate public outreach and data collection to inform the city’s approach before the current contract expires.

Why it matters: Maumee’s current refuse arrangement is due to end in June 2026. The committee discussed how the city should solicit proposals, whether to use Lucas County Solid Waste Management’s RFP template or issue a separate city RFP, and what service options to include. The choices will affect cost, billing method and service levels for residents.

What the committee heard Committee staff reported that Lucas County Solid Waste Management distributed an initial RFP template; members noted the template contained service options that do not match Maumee’s current contract and asked staff to confirm that the county’s solicitation is using Maumee’s prior contract as the baseline. The committee discussed two broad approaches: (1) ask Lucas County to solicit bids on Maumee’s existing service terms to get apples-to-apples pricing; or (2) solicit an updated set of options that reflect alternatives — smaller or different tote sizes, weekly versus biweekly collection, quarterly bulk pickup, curbside composting programs or subscription tiers.

Resident input, billing and equity Members emphasized seeking resident input before deciding which service alternatives to include. Committee staff and the public-information lead discussed deploying a resident survey to gauge interest in options such as smaller totes, opt-out possibilities, and compost collection. John (public information staff) and committee members agreed to begin work on a public-information survey and outreach materials.

Billing models were discussed: the committee considered continuing city-paid service, moving to household billing, or a hybrid phased approach that would ease the transition for residents on fixed incomes. Committee members flagged the need to identify assistance or subsidy options for residents who would be unable to absorb higher costs.

Compost pilot and costs Staff described compost collection models used by nearby cities and parks. Committee discussion included a low-cost pilot option: establishing a collection site (concrete pad, fencing and collection bins) and contracting with a processor; staff said a municipality model they reviewed estimated operating costs in the low tens of thousands (staff cited an example annual operating cost around $12,500) plus modest one-time costs for site preparation and bins. Staff said some municipalities also purchased a limited number of food-waste buckets to distribute to residents to jump-start participation.

Service providers and timing Committee members identified potential providers (Republic, Buck Brothers, Allied, Archbold Refuse and others) and discussed that Maumee owns the collection totes used in the current program. A committee member asked, “When is the contract actually up?” and was told the contract expires in June 2026. The group concluded there is time to run a timely outreach process but agreed to begin surveys and RFP planning soon so there is sufficient time for evaluation and transition planning.

Next steps Staff will follow up with Lucas County Solid Waste Management to confirm that the county’s solicitation reflects Maumee’s historical service terms and will prepare a resident survey and public-information timeline. The committee supported early public outreach and asked staff to return with survey results and cost comparisons ahead of any final recommendation to Council.

Ending note Committee members said they want options and pricing to be clear to residents and to allow for phased funding or subsidy mechanisms if the eventual service is more expensive than the city’s current expenditure.