Trash Talk: The Service Transition

Most people don't like change. We especially don't like it when it means we get less than we were getting before, or we're charged extra for what was free before, or there are new rules that make things more difficult than they were before. All of the above happened with the change of trash service providers last October. 

I've lived in Rowlett for over twenty years, so I remember when the city first contracted with the previous provider, FCC. I remember complaints back then; it took them a while to get the routes and schedules right. But as for the contract itself, the city got a pretty sweet deal with FCC in 2017.

We had weekly bulk pickup, and if our regular trash and/or recycle items wouldn't fit in the bin, it didn't matter if the top didn't close completely. If there was too much for that, we could put the extra in bags beside the bin and they'd get picked up. There was no extra charge. 

Like all good things, that seven-year contract came to an end in 2024.

In the interim, the world changed. The pandemic created labor shortages and inflation caused prices of almost everything to double or triple. The contract terms we got back then weren't being offered by FCC or any company, and FCC declined to even bid on a renewal with any terms. 

Because it takes well over a year for a company to prepare to service a new locale (they have to buy vehicles and bins and hire the personnel), the city had to go out for bids in early 2023 to start service in late 2024. State law requires that process. The council was only presented with two bids to choose from. Republic's was the better of the two. 

All companies are moving now to automated equipment, and that's the reason for the rules about putting the bins 3 feet apart and closing the lids completely. Weekly bulk pickup would have meant a large increase in monthly rates for everyone, and at that time our surveys indicated that most households weren't putting bulk and brush out every week.

The council, on staff's recommendation and in response to the public feedback, decided to keep the rates down and provide the extra bulk pickup option, with those who needed more frequent pickup paying extra for it when they need it. That decision wasn't made in a vacuum. We held town hall meetings about trash service. We published online surveys. A majority of citizens preferred the "use extra, pay extra" option over higher rates for everyone. 

Here's an analogy to help understand the perspective of the councilmembers: Imagine your homeowners' insurance provider tells you they're cancelling your policy when it expires and you'll have to find another (that has happened to many people lately, through no fault of their own). 

You start calling companies and discover they all want a much higher rate than you were paying before. You're on a tight budget, so you look for ways to shave some off the cost. You consider all the options and decide to go with a lower amount of coverage for personal property. You don't like it, but it seems to be the best compromise. By reducing that coverage, you manage to keep the rate only slightly higher than before. 

Your spouse discovers that the new policy doesn't cover his/her jewelry or coin collection or other prized possession. Oh, and the new company requires payment semi-annually instead of spreading it out monthly. Your spouse yells at you for not keeping the old policy. Why did you go and switch to this inferior policy with this new company that does things differently? 

I don't like the reduction in bulk service. I don't think anyone does. But I won't make promises that neither I nor any other candidate can keep. I have explored the feasibility of increasing bulk pickup to weekly or bi-weekly. The contract (that was negotiated by the previous city manager) is legally binding. Republic purchased the number of trucks and hired drivers based on those contract terms. They're not in a position to change the schedule. 

That doesn't mean the city can't look for innovative solutions to address the problems. I believe there are things the city may be able to do about some of the consequences of the new contract. Possibilities include a "convenience station" where residents could take their in-between bulk/brush, I am currently discussing those with the city manager and as mayor, I will prioritize working with city staff and Republic Services to find ways to pinpoint what's working and what's not and how we can help increase customer satisfaction. 

Pol. Adv. paid for by Deb Shinder Campaign