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Livonia approves five‑year Priority Waste contract and city purchase of 80,000 carts
Summary
The Livonia City Council approved a five‑year solid waste contract with Priority Waste LLC that moves the city to 95‑gallon carts for trash and recycling (carts plus five bulk items), and authorized purchase of 40,000 trash and 40,000 recycling carts from Toter; council said the city will own carts and use fund balance and potential grants to cover costs.
Livonia City Council voted unanimously to approve a five‑year contract with Priority Waste LLC and to authorize the city’s purchase of 40,000 trash carts and 40,000 recycling carts from Toter.
Councilman Donovic summarized a lengthy Capital Outlay & Infrastructure committee meeting where staff and Priority Waste representatives outlined terms: a transition from residents’ personal cans to city‑provided 95‑gallon automated carts for trash and recycling, plus pickup of up to five additional bulk items per collection. City staff said the carts would be owned and purchased by the city, stored at Public Works inventory, and that day‑to‑day maintenance and broken‑cart replacement would be handled by the hauler. The city intends to offer a 64‑gallon alternative for residents who need a smaller option.
Finance and administration said purchasing the carts will not require a tax increase. Officials described funding the purchase from existing fund balance (the city cited roughly $8 million in the fund and proposed using $4 million to buy the 80,000 carts) and pursuing grant funding from the Recycling Partnership (up to $15 per recycling cart) to reduce net cost. The finance director said operational savings and labor efficiencies from automated carts are expected to produce payback in roughly four years and an estimated $4.7 million savings over five years compared with continuing the status quo.
Manufacturing and warranty: Laura Hubbard of Toter explained the company’s rotationally molded carts are designed for harsh climates, carry a 12‑year warranty on the body and 10 years on other components, and include use of post‑consumer recycled material in some cart components. City staff said the contract contains legal protections including bonds and penalties and that Priority Waste representatives live locally and will provide a single point of contact for resident complaints.
Council action: Resolution A (approve contract with Priority Waste LLC for five years using 95‑gallon trash and recycling carts) and Resolution B (authorize purchase of 40,000 trash and 40,000 recycling carts from Toter, with city ownership and storage at DPW) were each moved, supported and approved on roll calls that recorded seven 'Aye' votes and no 'Nay' votes.
What happens next: The administration will roll out a communications plan (the mayor announced a "Let’s Roll Livonia" website and FAQs) describing cart sizes, options for additional bins, collection rules (bulk items policy), warranty and replacement procedures, and the timing for when carts will be distributed and service changes will begin.
The council emphasized there is no immediate tax increase and that staff will continue to provide monthly reporting on recycling and solid‑waste volumes to monitor program performance.
