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Monroe council votes to terminate long-standing trash disposal contract amid $1.2 million shortfall
Summary
The City Council unanimously voted to terminate its trash disposal contract with Waste Connections, citing limited options under the existing agreement and an estimated annual loss of about $1.2 million; staff and the city attorney said the move opens the city to explore alternatives but requires careful public communication and follow-up steps.
The Monroe City Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 9002 on March 25, 2025, authorizing the city to terminate its trash disposal agreement with the current landfill operator.
City Attorney Brandon Creekbaum told the council the original disposal contract dates to 2000 and was amended over time, most recently in 2010, and that the amendment extended the agreement through 2025 with an automatic five-year renewal if the city did not give timely written notice. "There are State law procedures for entering into contracts with disposals, landfills, and other things," Creekbaum said, explaining the legal steps the city must follow as it considers alternatives.
Public Works official Ms. Gospel said the city has been "locked into this contract 25 years" and argued that remaining in it limits the city's ability to seek competitive options. Ms. Gospel told the council the city is losing about $1.2 million a year on the current arrangement. "If the City don't cancel the contract the City can't explore other options," she said.
Council members pressed for detail on next steps and how the city would communicate changes to residents. Ms. Woods noted that termination would trigger a 90-day window to explore other options and asked how staff would keep constituents informed. Creekbaum and Ms. Gospel said staff could pursue outreach and that legal and operational options exist whether the council renews or terminates the contract.
The vote followed separate, unanimous council approvals to file applications for Federal Transit Administration funds (Resolutions No. 9000 and 9001) during the same Department of Public Works agenda item. Council members said they wanted more fact-finding, community meetings and clarity on the fiscal impact before any operational changes were implemented.
The council did not adopt a timeline for service changes in the meeting; Creekbaum advised the council that formal notices tied to the contract's deadlines (the council was told written notice to the company must be given by April 1 to avoid automatic renewal) will govern the schedule. Council members said staff will return with additional information and that public outreach would be needed before any service changes take effect.
