During last weeks city council meeting the council unanimously passed an ordinance to raise the city’s trash collection fee. General Ordinance 5, 2024, put forward by council member Amanda Thompson, would gradually raise the city’s trash collection fee from $11 to $15 in July 2024, $15.50 in July 2025, and $16.00 in July 2026.

The ordinance also changed an existing trash fee discount from 25% to 33% for residents who are over 65, blind, or disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. During public comment Mayor Sakbun explained that the city’s controversial 20 year contract with Republic had resulted in lower fees than neighboring counties.

According to his statements, the current average trash collection fee in the state is $16 and many other providers do not include some of the services offered by Republic. The mayor also revealed that in 2023 $764,000 was taken from the Sanitary District budget to cover the city’s trash contract shortfall.

After the mayor’s remarks council member Curtis DeBaun asked if any changes had been made to the original contract with Republic and in response Mayor Sakbun revealed that the city had already signed a 10 year contract extension without requesting bids from other providers.

Council member Todd Nation expressed frustration that the city had not communicated with the council or requested bids before signing the extension, and in response city attorney Michael Wright apologized saying, “I should have done a better job…I will do better on these issues moving forward.”

Council president Tammy Boland then asked Wright if there were any legal issues with the city not requesting bids for the trash contract. In response Wright stated that a city trash contract is a professional service for which you can rely on the reputation of the provider.