City of Loyal approves new garbage, recycling vendor
By Valorie Brecht Garbage and recycling collection is a significant but necessary expense for any municipality. The City of Loyal recently selected a vendor to provide garbage and recycling services, and by teaming up with other municipalities, it will result in cost savings for the city compared to if it tried to go on its own.
The United Communities of Clark County met on July 1, with Granton, Loyal, Neillsville and Withee looking at garbage contracts, as they are all up for renewal and wanted to enter into a contract together. The Loyal City Council then met on July 16 to review the options.
The four municipalities received proposals from Waste Management out of Marshfield, GFL Environmental out of Thorp and Harter’s Expert Disposal out of Wisconsin Rapids. All three would require the city switching to 95-gallon carts that are picked up by an arm on the garbage truck, versus the garbage truck operator having to get out of the truck every time to collect the trash.
Loyal is currently served by Waste Management. It costs the city $12.33 per month per home. There are 482 homes served, for a total annual cost of $71,352.12. The proposed cost to continue with Waste Management for another five years, in a joint contract with the three other municipalities, would be $21.35 per unit, or a total annual cost of $123,488.40. That means the city would have to spend $52,136.28 more on garbage services every year. There would also be an annual cost increase, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for garbage and trash collection, with a 5% minimum increase annually.
GFL offered a six-year contract with a cost of $17.65 per home, for a total annual cost of $102,087.60. The city would have to budget an additional $30,735.48 for garbage disposal. This company would also require an annual cost increase of 2%, with anything higher being negotiated.
Harter’s also offered a six-year contract at $25.75 per home for a total annual cost of $148,938. That would be an increase of $77,585.88 in the city’s annual garbage budget. Harter’s also has an annual cost increase based on the CPI for garbage and trash collection.
Each company also has a fuel surcharge based on the price of fuel, but it’s close to the same for all three.
The council ruled out Harter’s right away because it was the most expensive. One of the council members also asked about curbside pickup of bulk items. Waste Management does not offer curbside pickup but will host spring and fall drop-off events if the city so desires, with a cost to the city of $425 per pull and $75 per ton for a 30-yard container.
GFLoffers curbside pickup of bulk items at a cost of $75 per item, billed directly to the resident. They also offer spring and fall drop-off events with a municipality cost of $428 per pull and $65 per ton for a 30-yard container. Tire disposal is $428 per pull and $375 per ton.
Both companies will provide extra carts to residents, for a monthly fee billed directly to the resident. Also, both only provide every-other-week recycling pickup.
Kayla Schar, who is also the city clerk for Greenwood, said that Greenwood had Express Disposal until it was bought out by GFL. She said the city had experienced some issues with GFL, but those were related to people wanting GFL to make the same allowances Express Disposal did.
“Because it was Express Disposal, they have bulk pickup for free and you can put three bags on the side of it. They don’t want to honor that, because that’s what their contract says with most municipalities. It’s really hard getting them to honor things. I have to call every month on something,” she said.
The United Communities of Clark County approved a contract with GFL, pending the approval of the individual municipal boards for the four communities involved. The Loyal City Council agreed to follow suit and approve the GFL contract, being it was the least expensive option and seemed fairly similar to Waste Management.
The city has five year-round dumpsters and one seasonal. According to city clerk Shannon Toufar, GFL will provide three dumpsters for free and the city will have to pay for the other three.
The new garbage and recycling service is expected to be implemented Jan. 1. More information will be provided to city residents closer to that date.
