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Council directs staff to bring single‑hauler recycling resolution after consultant findings
Summary
After hearing results of 23 public listening sessions and cost examples from other Michigan communities, the council voted by voice to direct the city manager to prepare a resolution to start a bid process exploring a single‑hauler curbside recycling option required to meet Part 115 (90% of single‑family households) by Jan. 1, 2028.
City Manager summarized consultant findings and public input on curbside recycling and the state rule change in Part 115 of Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act that requires cities over 5,000 population to offer curbside recycling to at least 90% of single‑family households by Jan. 1, 2028. The manager noted that recycling tipping fees (about $110/ton) make curbside recycling costly for small haulers and that a single‑hauler model produced lower monthly costs in other cities.
The manager said Portage moved from about $25.25 to $14.04 per month after adopting a single‑hauler contract; he and council discussed implementation options (assessments vs. utility bills) and the timeline. After discussion that included resident feedback and consultant notes, a council member moved and the council approved by voice vote an instruction for staff to bring a resolution to the next meeting to begin the bidding process for a single‑hauler contract. City staff emphasized that a resolution to bring a bid package is the next procedural step, not an immediate contract award.
