Garbage bills should go down for Covington residents thanks to a new contract with Republic Services which will take effect July 1.

This is the first time the city has negotiated a contract for solid waste services, explained Glenn Akramoff, public works director for Covington. Before incorporation in 1997, the contract was negotiated and managed by the Washington Utilities Trade Commission because Covington was an unincorporated area.

“Normally when a city incorporates, that’s one of the first things they do, notify them (UTC) you’re going to take (the contract) over,” Akramoff said. “They need to let the hauler know seven years in advance.”

Covington officials didn’t do that at the time of incorporation, but, did do so in 2003 with the plan to negotiate a contract in 2010. Akramoff discussed it then with City Manager Derek Matheson, but, at that point it didn’t work for either of them to put together a proposal for the City Council to consider regarding the solid waste contract.

In May 2012 they were able to get the process rolling. Akramoff said they started with a study session with the City Council to explain the issues and what would happen if Covington took over the contract. The council was given three options: take no action, put out a request for proposals for the contract or negotiate directly with Republic Services.

Council decided, for a number of reasons, to negotiate directly with Republic, Akramoff said, with the idea that they could get better rates than under the previous contract. A consultant was hired who began work in the fall and talks with Republic began in October.

“We focused on three different areas when we prioritized negotiations: residential, smaller retail and then larger commercial users,” Akramoff said. “In focusing on that the residential rates have gone down, depending on what level of service you get, between 5 percent and 10 percent.”

One of the reasons rates will go down for residential customers is that they currently pay a rental fee for the cart, the garbage can provided by the hauler, and won’t have to pay that fee under the new contract, a significant change.

In January, Akramoff said, staff updated the council on progress and in February a draft contract was available for review by Covington’s elected officials. It will go back to the City Council for approval April 9. Once approved, the new contract would begin July 1.

“Negotations have gone really well,” Akramoff said. “We’ve had really positive sessions, there were some issues that needed to be worked out, but it was always in the spirit of partnership from both sides but I think that helped the process move along.”

While rates will go down for residential customers, Akramoff said, some businesses will see an increase in rates depending on the size of the business and what services they use.

This contract looked at additional elements of solid waste in the city.

“Commercial recycling will become more of a focus for the city and the hauler and increasing it,” Akramoff said. “It pays to recycle more because you get the recycling services along with your garbage service. The city will see a number of improved services including having our events taken care of, our facilities will be taken care of as part of the contract.”

Beyond that, Akramoff added, there will more education about recycling along with outreach to homeowners associations in the city which builds on the relationships Republic has already built.

“Republic has been a very good community partner,” Akramoff said.

Reach Assistant Editor Kris Hill at khill@covingtonreporter.com or 425-432-1209 ext. 5054.