London City Council on Jan. 14 voted to authorize the safety service director to advertise for bids for sanitation department services, a first step that council members said could lead to privatization of the city's trash collection if a contract is later accepted.

The measure, Resolution 190-25, was sponsored by Councilman Andy Hitt and Councilwoman Lisa Jackman and passed after extended debate over the future of city sanitation workers, the condition of the transfer station and trucks, and whether soliciting bids implies an intent to accept a private vendor's offer.

Council members and staff framed the issue as a choice between continuing to operate an aging municipal sanitation operation with recurring equipment and building needs or opening competition to private companies that may be able to provide uninterrupted service at lower or more stable cost. The council initially passed Resolution 190-25 by roll call; two related proposals'Resolution 191-25 (advertising for trash-hauling bids) and Ordinance 192-25 (adjusting sanitation rates)'failed on the floor.

Safety Service Director (unnamed) told the council that maintaining the sanitation operation without additional money is not feasible: "Prices are gonna increase, Period," he said, listing capital needs including trucks, roofing repairs and a possible three-phase electrical upgrade that he estimated could cost about $175,000. He warned council that service and vehicle breakdowns have become more frequent and that continuing current operations would require ongoing rate increases.

At a public comment stage, sanitation employee Richard Wiggins said retaining municipal jobs is important to workers but expressed practical concerns about employment if a private contractor required travel: "As an employee, being brought into the new company would be great, but... Now I've gotta drive to Dayton, Circleville, Columbus... in the wintertime, I'm stuck," he said, asking council to consider employees' commute and safety.

Resident Kevin Crosley spoke earlier in the meeting to correct what he described as misconceptions about the city's billing practices: "From us in the sanitation department, we do not charge for lids being open," he said, explaining that the only charge related to bulk pickup is based on yardage and that the phrase "bulk pickup" on a Mid Ohio bill can be misleading.

Council debate centered on procurement norms and ethics: several members said bids should be put out in good faith with the intent to accept a reasonable offer, while others emphasized the council retained the right to reject bids that came in far above expectations. Councilman Boyd voiced opposition to the advertising measure, citing a preference to keep the service in-house and to examine rate changes and service options further.

The roll-call votes showed split positions across the council. Resolution 191-25 (to advertise for trash-hauling services) failed on roll call; Ordinance 192-25 (to adjust sanitation rates) likewise failed, leaving the council to proceed with Resolution 190-25 as the principal vehicle to explore options.

Council members said next steps will include drafting bid specifications that clarify the scope of work and any expectations about employees and service levels, and potentially seeking legal clarification about the procurement language. Several members and the mayor urged clearer public communication to correct online rumors and misinformation about what advertising for bids would mean for service or worker status.

The meeting closed with council members thanking sanitation workers and noting follow-up committee meetings to continue examining service and finance questions.