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Arvada council debates opt‑out fee, composting and contract renewal at solid‑waste workshop
Summary
City staff presented options and numbers for the single‑hauler program (Republic Services), including the current opt‑out fee, city program fee, contract terms and possible composting options; council members expressed differing views on raising the opt‑out fee and on whether to renew or rebid the contract.
City staff presented a detailed workshop on the Arvada single‑hauler waste program at the March 4, 2025 council meeting and asked council for direction on three themes: changes to the Republic Services contract, options for organics/composting, and scenarios for the minimum service (opt‑out) fee.
Staff said the current Republic Services contract began July 2021 and expires July 2026, with two possible 1‑year renewals through July 2028. Staff reported the contract includes a maximum annual increase of 3.5% (with a minimum), and noted that the Bureau of Labor Statistics 12‑month running average for a relevant index was about 4.89% as of January 2025. "The opt out fee from Republic Services of $4.55 per month was a negotiated fee," staff said, adding that the city program fee is $1.50 per month; combined those amounts currently total $6.05 per month for a resident who opts out but retains access to city program services.
Staff provided program participation numbers: 18,248 carts (cart count basis) and 8,224 customers currently paying the minimum service/opt‑out fee, and explained the city program fee funds bulky‑item events, yard‑waste events and program administration while cart‑service fees and enterprise fees cover cart purchase and replacement.
Council members offered a range of views. Councilmember Marriott said he opposed raising the opt‑out fee and argued the program had not meaningfully increased diversion rates since inception: "I would not raise the opt out fee anymore." Councilmember Pfeiffer said she supports rebidding the contract when the time comes and was open to increasing the minimum service fee to encourage program adoption. Mayor Pro Tem Moorman urged staff to track the state producer responsibility program for recycling and ensure Arvada does not double‑charge residents for recycling if the state program pays recycling costs.
On composting, staff outlined two models: subscription organics requiring a minimum of roughly 3,000 signups, with estimated pricing around $16–$19 per month per home; or citywide mandatory organics through the contract requiring participation by all ~18,248 customers, with estimated pricing of $6–$9 per month. Staff cautioned that adding municipal organics through contract changes could require a new 5‑year contract extension or amendments and staffing and cart purchases, with an earliest realistic implementation date of July 1, 2026.
Council directed staff to return with comparative fee scenarios and additional analysis in scheduled follow‑up workshops (staff listed sessions in April and May and a deadline for June for resolution options). Staff also noted changes already adopted in the code (CB25‑005) that give council more discretion in allocating the minimum service fee.
