Town extends trash contract amid rising costs and uncertainty

The Rising Sun Board of Commissioners meeting on March 8, 2022, focused on a significant resolution regarding the town's trash collection contract. The current four-year contract is set to expire on July 1, 2022, and the town administrator presented a recommendation to extend the existing contract due to rising costs in the waste management industry.

The contractor informed the town that prices for trash collection are expected to increase significantly, with estimates suggesting a potential 25% rise. Given the current economic uncertainties, including the impact of global events and rising fuel prices, the town administrator advised against seeking new bids. Instead, the recommendation is to continue with the current contractor, which would result in a 43% increase in the cost of curbside trash pickup, raising the weekly fee from $1.69 to $2.42 per trash can.

Despite the increase, the town administrator noted that the overall budget impact would be manageable. This is attributed to recent efforts to identify properties that were not contributing their fair share to trash collection costs, particularly rental properties that had previously slipped through the cracks. The transition of billing from utility bills to real estate bills has allowed for better tracking and collection of fees.

The discussion highlighted a broader trend across the state, where many municipalities are facing similar challenges with rising labor and recycling costs. The recommendation to extend the contract was supported by insights from other towns experiencing drastic increases in bid prices, reinforcing the decision as a prudent move in uncertain times.

In conclusion, the Board of Commissioners is poised to approve the resolution to extend the trash collection contract, aiming to stabilize costs amid a volatile economic landscape while ensuring fair contributions from all property owners.