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Shenandoah faces resident pushback after new trash contract makes recycling a universal $4.49 monthly charge
Summary
Council discussed a new trash contract that supplies new carts but moves recycling from optional subscription to a universal $4.49 monthly charge; council asked staff to put the billing approach back on the next agenda for reconsideration.
Shenandoah council and staff confronted resident concerns Aug. 13 after staff outlined a new solid-waste contract that provides 95-gallon carts for every household and treats recycling as a citywide subscription billed at $4.49 per month.
Joseph, who presented the contract details, explained the award includes recycling as a line-item billed to all customers rather than an opt-in subscription. He said the move lowers the city’s overall trash cost while extending recycling service to all households; staff noted alternate bid pricing in the contract for subscription-based recycling that would preserve an opt-in model at a higher per-customer price.
Several council members and residents objected to mandatory billing for recycling when many households had previously declined the service. Council said the city should give customers an option and asked staff to place a follow-up agenda item at the next meeting to evaluate whether to revert to subscription-based recycling or adopt a different billing approach.
What was said: Joseph summarized the contract details and pricing and said the recycling fee in the agenda packet is $4.49 per month for all customers. Councilmembers urged a fast review and an information campaign with the contractor (Republic) to explain changes and timeline; staff said the transition would include new cart deliveries and resident outreach.
Next steps: Council directed staff to prepare an agenda item for the next meeting to revisit the city’s approach to recycling charges and to work with Republic on outreach to residents ahead of the contract’s October 1 implementation date.
