PHOTO BY MEGHAN ERKKINEN

The Milton Council agreed to extend a contact with Waste Connections for garbage service.

Milton extends refuse contract

By Meghan Erkkinen

The city of Milton has agreed to extend its garbage and recycling services contract with Waste Connections, Inc., for another five years, through 2013.

A contract between the city and Waste Connections was originally signed in November 2000 and was previously amended twice. The contract extension was made through a third amendment, approved by the city council Oct. 20. In addition to extending the contract, the most recent amendment includes an annual cost-of-living adjustment and fuel surcharges, should gas prices exceed $3.50 per gallon.

Before the council approved the measure, several council members expressed concern about the amendment, and notably about the fuel surcharges.

Councilmember Jim Heddlesten took issue with the surcharge because the cost-of-living adjustment also takes fuel costs into account. He called the surcharge “double dipping.”

Heddlesten also said the city might benefit from taking the city’s refuse and recycling needs out to bid to seek competitive offers.

“We had a contract that was signed in 2000 and it was extended twice,” he said. “I really think at this point in time we should go  back and open this up for bids…I think we owe it to the citizens.”

Keith Kovalenko, district manager for Waste Connections, assured the council that the fuel surcharge would not be overly burdensome. If fuel costs hit $4, the surcharge would only be about $0.14 per month for a regular residential customer, he said.

Kovalenko also noted that the city could see a new food waste recycling program in 2009 or 2010.

While he said he was pleased with the services provided by Waste Connections, Heddlesten said regularly taking services out to bid is a good practice for the city.

“It’s just a process I think we should go through periodically,” he said.

Others defended Waste Connections and the new contract.

“Really there’s little chance that we’re going to get much lower (in price),” Councilmember Leonard Sanderson said.

City Administrator Michael Wilson said he has dealt with Waste Connections for 20-plus years in his work in local governments.

“I’ve always felt that we’ve received exceptional service, combined with the low cost,” he said.

Milton has some of the lowest rates compared to other Waste Connections

customers. For weekly pick-

up of one can of garbage, along with recycling services, the cost to Milton residents will be $15.62 per month. Among local cities, only Carbonado and Buckley receive lower rates.

Milton residents also receive services such as extra pickups in spring and fall and Christmas tree pickups, which many other cities do not receive.

The council approved the amendment by a vote of 5-1, with Heddlesten opposed.

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