Best Way Disposal employees collect trash in December 2009 in Greenwood.
Daily Journal File Photo
Whiteland residents may soon see their trash rates increase to $18.05.
The Whiteland Town Council advanced a proposed trash rate ordinance Tuesday that would cost residents approximately $5 more each month. The proposed rate has not been finalized and a public hearing will be held at next month’s meeting.
The previous contract’s trash rate is approximately $13. Last month, the town council approved a bid from Best Way Disposal. They received three total bids from Best Way, Rumpke and the town’s previous trash collection company Republic Services. Best Way was the most cost-effective option for residents, said Carmen Young, director of administration, at last month’s meeting.
“(Best Way was) very communicative, asked a lot of questions when we were going through the bidding … they wanted to know a lot of information and details and asked a lot of great questions,” Young said. “So I’m looking forward to working with them.”
Council members on Tuesday chose between three different options for trash rates. For the four-year contract, the council members chose between a stair-stepped rate increase starting at $17.25 and ending at $18.85, an average rate of the four years at $18.05 or the highest rate of the four years at $18.85.
The council members mostly discussed option one, a stair-stepped rate increase, and option two, an average rate of the four years.
Council member Brad Goedeker was a fan of option one.
“I am not a fan of two simply because we are building a lot of homes. This continues and we’re gonna be putting more houses there,” he said. “I’m personally in favor of option one, just because it limits the amount of the initial bump. I mean, the cost of everything is going up now … so I’m a fan of option one and if I had to have a second choice, it would be option two.”
Council member Debra Hendrickson was a proponent of option two.
“I know people don’t like when things go up every year, every year, every year, and we get those complaints all the time,” she said. “So they were happy when we had the same price all four years and they didn’t have to worry about an increase.”
Council members ultimately decided on the option that would make it a rate of $18.05 for all four years. The council voted 4-1 with Goedeker opposing.
Alongside a change in trash rates, residents can also expect a new policy regarding trash bags outside of cans. If a person can’t fit all of their trash in their can, they can set an extra trash bag outside their can with the purchase of a $1 sticker. The residents would come to town hall and purchase the sticker. Best Way charges the town $0.75 for the sticker and the town “resells” the stickers to residents, Young said Tuesday.
The council also approved an amendment to the contract approved last month allowing Best Way to start collecting trash at 7 a.m. rather than 8 a.m.
“Our noise ordinance lifts at 7 a.m. I know other communities, their trucks are ready and waiting at 6:59 and as soon as 7 o’ clock rolls, so do the trucks,” Young said Tuesday.
