Rumpke will continue to be the city’s trash collection provider and will add pickup of recyclables to its service when the new year arrives.
Despite pleas by Kimble Recycling & Waste Disposal that its alternate bid was a better value for residents, City Council unanimously approved a new five-year pact with Rumpke at its Oct. 25 meeting.
The new contract will provide weekly pickup of trash and recyclables, and will allow residents to get larger recycling toters (95 gallons) if they choose.
The Portage County Solid Waste Management District did not bid to continue recycling collection, which will continue under that agency every other week until the end of the year.
The PCSWMD reduced its pickup to every other week several weeks ago, citing a workforce shortage and declining prices for recyclables. Rates have been adjusted for the reduced service.
Under Rumpke’s bid, the monthly cost of trash/recycling collection will be $126,183 for 5,473 customers. Per household costs would range from $14.99 to $23.46 per month depending on level of service.
Because Kimble’s alternate bid included some items not asked for in the bid package, Law Director Dean DePiero said Council had two options – either award the contract to Rumpke “which followed the bid specs” or rebid to be fair to all prospective vendors.
DePiero added the city’s charter requires Council to accept the “lowest or best responsive and responsible bid. The city set forth bid specs, and the alternate bid was not responsive to the bid package.”
Kimble representative Joe Sciarretti said his firm’s alternate bid would have saved residents about $96,000 a year. He noted alternate bids are an “industry standard,” but Aurora Service Director Harry Stark said he has not seen that done before with such contracts.
“It’s not just about the lowest bid; it’s also about whether service is going to be maintained for the residents,” said Councilman Scott Wolf, who cited some service issues with Kimble in other communities which he has learned about.
“I have had no issues with Rumpke’s trash service over the last few years, and I have no problem going forward with Rumpke.”
Stark added the bid specs included the larger recycling toters because many residents have complained that the current ones are too small. “Aurora is second to Kent when it comes to recycling participation,” he said. “We do a lot of recycling.”
Stark said Rumpke will deliver new toters before the end of this year, and PCSWMD will collect most of the old ones after the first of the year. Residents eventually will get a refund for the recent reduction in recycling service.
