by Amanda Harnocz
Reporter
Tallmadge -- The city's trash collection contract needs to be renewed, and Tallmadge officials predict the new agreement will cost homeowners at least a couple of more bucks per month.
For the last three years, the city has used Republic Services Inc. to pick up most of the resident's curbside trash, according to Public Service Director Dave Kline.
This year, Republic Services, J&J Refuse and R&R Sanitation are bidding for the city's next three-year contract, he said.
Last year, per quarter, it cost homeowners approximately $40 for trash collection through Republic, he said. This year, he expects prices to increase slightly due to fuel costs.
Per quarter, bid prices for regular trash pick up vary from "$42 with Republic, $46 with R&R and $47 with J&J," Kline said.
However, the specialty services each company offers -- such as back-door pick up, recycling, low volume pick up and big item collection -- all have varying prices as well, he said.
According to Kline, about 700 residents use the low volume collection and a few hundred residents use the back-door service.
About 75 percent of the city's 16,000 residents use Republic as their trash hauler, said Kline.
The city will not make it mandatory for residents to use one universal trash collector, he said, adding that those who wish to change or keep services with a different company are free to do so.
Once a company is selected by the Board of Controls, an opt-out mailing will be sent to all residents, with options to choose which trash company and what type of service they want, said Kline.
The Board of Controls is made up of the mayor, law director, director of finance, one member of City Council and the public service director.
"We'll have to weigh the pros and cons of the different costs, then decide," Kline said.
The Board of Controls is expected to make a decision by Oct. 6, said Kline.