City previews Rumpke contract renewal; preliminary pricing shows about 13% increase and a $5/month yard‑waste option

City Administrator Matt Peoples told council July 7 that the city is negotiating renewal terms with Rumpke for municipal solid‑waste collection ahead of the contract expiration on Sept. 30. He said preliminary pricing shows an approximate 13% increase and staff is clarifying whether that is an upfront adjustment or an annual escalation for a prospective five‑year contract.

Peoples said the proposed renewal would preserve the current unlimited trash program and introduce an optional separate yard‑waste/compost collection run to divert organic material from landfill. The yard‑waste service would require biodegradable yard bags or bundled brush and would be handled by a separate truck and taken to a composting facility, not the landfill. Peoples said the yard‑waste option under consideration would cost about $5 per month per household; he clarified that cost would be monthly (not per billing cycle).

Peoples said staff compared the city’s prospective pricing to a consortium bid from Madison Township and concluded the Rumpke pricing is competitive. He said staff expects to present full contract terms and ordinance language at the first council meeting in August and recommended a five‑year contract with Rumpke, noting there may be a separate contract for composting if Rumpke does not provide that service directly.

Councilmembers asked whether the yard‑waste fee would be an opt‑in subscription or citywide mandatory change; Peoples said staff will present options but indicated the cost model discussed in preliminary talks assumed citywide participation rather than a subscription. He agreed to return cost and participation scenarios at the August meeting.