Creve Coeur approves five-year Republic Services contract as city trash costs rise

Creve Coeur officials approved a five-year contract with Republic Services to provide residential trash, recycling and yard-waste services, a deal city staff say preserves service levels but increases the annual municipal cost.

City Administrator Mark Perkins told the council the city currently pays roughly $865,000 annually for residential trash services; the new negotiated contract will increase the cost to just over $1,100,000 a year and includes a 5% annual increase. Perkins said the city considered market options but found limited competition among capable haulers in the St. Louis region and chose a negotiated extension with the incumbent to maintain service quality.

A major service change removes the bag-and-tag yard-waste option and replaces it with a monthly subscription program. Perkins said the subscription will provide weekly, unlimited yard-waste pickup for about $12 per month; residents can opt in or out on a quarterly basis. Staff told the council that residents currently using more than one weekly pickup will no longer receive an automatic extra pickup; they can purchase a second tote or subscribe to additional services for extra fees. The contract allows the city to transfer some costs directly to residents on a billed basis if necessary in future years.

Perkins and Public Works Director Jim Hines said the city's triennial citizen survey historically shows high satisfaction with trash and recycling (cited about 96% in earlier survey results). City staff said the negotiated price is in line with or lower than recent regional contracts and that staff engaged the city's energy and environment committee and other partners during review.

During public comment, resident Dr. Camisha Carter asked whether the contract addressed large-item pickups; Public Works staff replied that the contract includes two bulky items per home per pickup with prior scheduling and specified fees for additional items and white goods ($25 per extra bulk item, $50 for white goods on call).

Council discussion focused on communication and outreach: staff will notify residents through the city newsletter, website, social media and in-person forums about the subscription yard-waste option, pricing and opt-out windows. The council approved the contract; minutes record the final tally as six votes in favor and one abstention.