The recommended Fishers trash collection bid from Republic calls for a $16.39 monthly charge for residential service in 2025, and by the 10th year of the contract, the cost per month will be $26.89.

“The $26.89 amount is substantially lower than…about 50 per cent of residents are currently paying,” says Mayor Fadness’ Chief of Staff Jordin Alexander.

Think about that.  In year 10 of the Republic contract, year 2035, that rate is lower than about half of what Fishers homes are paying for residential trash collection service now.

A public hearing is set for August 13 on the recommendation from city staff to award the city-wide trash collection contract to Republic.  I do expect a large crowd and the Board of Public Works and Safety will move its meeting to the small conference room on the third floor of City Hall to the theater, with a lot of additional seats.

I was writing this blog in 2023 when the Town of Fishers first proposed a trash service for all Fishers residents.  The feedback was universally negative, basically telling Town of Fishers officials at that time they did not want the government telling them which trash service to use.

However, the cost of trash pickup in those days was much lower and there were many companies offering the service.  When WM (formerly known as Waste Management) acquired Ray’s, that left just 2 trash services currently available to residential users currently – WM & Republic.

Most of the cities surrounding Fishers already have city-wide trash collection contracts.  The increase in fees for this service has resulted in residents lobbying the city to start the process.

There are lots of details to explain.  For example, if you are a snowbird leaving Fishers for more than a month in the winter season, you can stop your service temporarily and not be charged.  There will be provisions for leaf and additional waste pickup twice a year.

The city has setup a section of their Web site dedicated just to the trash issue at this link.

I know this is a big issues with a number of people in Fishers wanting to save money on trash pickup.  I will have more on this issue as the year moves along, with the expectation the new trash collection will be in place during January of 2025.