Possible Action on a New Garbage Collection Contract On Tonight's Newton City Council Agenda

The Newton City Council has had a couple of weeks to review and consider three proposals for garbage and recycling collection. The current five-year contract with Dodds Solid Waste and Recycling in Newton will end June 30th of this year. Currently, Newton Public Works Director Joe Grife says the city has a one million dollar yearly budget for trash and recycling collection for around 5,600 billed customers. 

“We asked for a base proposal that basically matched the current contract with Dodds, collection of a 35-gallon bin and an 18-gallon bin for recycling. We also asked for an alternate proposal for a 35, 65, and 95 gallon bin that would be collected automatically.”

Grife says Newton customers currently pay $15.16 per month for garbage and recycling collection. He also told the City Council what he estimates that fee would be under the five year contracts proposed by Dodds, Midwest Sanitation of Pella, and Waste Management of Des Moines. The estimate for Dodd’s is $18.05 per month, Midwest Sanitation is $20.80 and $25.85, and Waste Management is from $20.65 to $23.05. The price ranges for Midwest Sanitation and Waste Management include options for larger solid waste and recycling bins. Grife is asking the Newton City Council to make a decision on a provider at tonight’s 6 p.m. City Council meeting.