Madison Heights City Council voted May 12 to award a five-year contract to Priority Waste for solid-waste hauling and disposal and to transition the city to a carts-only collection model, with an assisted-service option the city will fund for permanently disabled residents. The motion passed 6-0.

Staff said the invitation to bid requested the current semi-automated “cart-plus” service as the status quo and asked bidders to provide pricing for a fully automated carts-only alternative and other cost-saving innovations. After evaluation and resident input from two “trash talk” public meetings, staff recommended the carts-only option and acceptance of Priority Waste’s bid. Staff presented an estimated first-year cost for the recommended option of $1,814,070 (pending final unit-count determination).

Presentation materials and staff comments said a carts-only program is projected to save roughly $200,000 per year compared with the current cart-plus model and could save about $1 million over five years. Staff also said the carts-only approach reduces litter and animal-scattered trash, improves efficiency and may increase recycling rates by providing designated recycling carts. The city’s millage allocation for solid waste was explained as 2.4283 mills; staff used example figures showing an average household market value of $225,000 and taxable value near $60,000 equates to roughly $145 per year for weekly trash, recycling and yard-waste service funded by the millage.

Council and staff described practical rollout details: the city has ordered trash and recycling carts with delivery expected by September 2025; residents who already own carts may keep them or accept the city-issued carts (staff said old carts are planned to be recycled); bulk-item pickup (one bulk item per week) would continue; additional carts would be available for households that need them. A disabled-assistance program will be available by annual enrollment for residents with verified permanent disabilities; council amended the final motion to specify the city will pay the assisted-service cost rather than charging qualifying residents. Staff and the vendor said the assisted service aims to help those without support networks and is not intended as a paid concierge option.

Residents raised questions at the meeting about overfilling, whether previously purchased personal bins could become landfill waste, narrow driveways and handling small-lot properties. Staff responded that additional carts can be purchased, that carts provided by the city may be kept or recycled, and that Priority Waste offers an assistance program. The council asked staff to develop documentation requirements and safeguards for genuine permanent disabilities to limit program abuse.

The council’s motion authorized the city manager and city attorney to negotiate and enter the contract pending legal review. Councilors and staff said the carts-only rollout is funded in part by a $500,000 grant plus $500,000 from the general fund for cart purchases; staff estimated the payback of the cart investment would occur in under three years given the ongoing service savings. The council vote was recorded 6-0 in favor.