ATHENS, Ohio — Athens city administrators have asked city council for permission to renew the city’s contract with Rumpke for solid waste services for another two years with no rate increases, the Athens County Independent reported.
City Service-Safety Director Andy Stone told council the existing contract has been in place for three and a half years and expires June 30, 2027, and that the current contract allows a two-year extension subject to mutual agreement, according to the Athens County Independent. “Tonight, I’m asking you for the authority to grant that extension,” Stone told council, the Independent reported.
Stone and Mayor Steve Patterson cited the extension offer as a good agreement for customers and for city government, saying it would avoid the need to go to bid for services and would keep trash haul prices in place despite inflation, the Athens County Independent reported.
The city pays Rumpke between $1.89 million and $2 million annually for waste and recycling services, according to the Independent. In January 2024, Rumpke beat out the Athens-Hocking Recycling Center’s bid by about $300,000, the Independent reported.
Most Athens households pay $22.73 monthly for a single trash can, rising to $31.35 for two cans and $34.50 for three cans, with a standard $1 monthly litter fee, and curbside composting customers using a Rumpke container pay an additional $8.42 monthly, according to the Athens County Independent.
Council members raised questions before any decision. Council member Beth Clodfelter asked whether the Athens-Hocking Recycling Center would have a chance to bid, and Stone said it would not, saying the center “really isn’t functioning as an organization any longer” after the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District absorbed it in late 2025, the Independent reported. Council member Michael Wood said open bidding should at least be considered, and Clodfelter asked that the solid waste district be asked whether it would be interested in bidding, according to the Independent.
Composting also came up: a council member said Far East Side residents have offered generally positive comments about trash service but are concerned about composting, and Stone said the contract can be adjusted to allow multi-unit composting to accommodate students, the Athens County Independent reported.
What happens next: the possible two-year Rumpke extension will be placed on council’s agenda for discussion Monday, Nov. 2, at Athens City Hall, according to the Athens County Independent. Council’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday at 8 E. Washington St., with meetings also streamed online.
Photo: Ed!, CC BY-SA