Glencoe residents are set to see a small increase in their garbage and recycling fees next year under a new contract with its collection firm.
At their Nov. 17 meeting, village board trustees unanimously authorized Village Manager to execute a new franchise agreement with Rosemont-based Lakeshore Recycling Systems in what is intended to be a new three-year contract with the village with the ability for two one-year extensions.
Under the new pact, once a week curbside service will increase 9.2% in year one from $76.06 a quarter to $83.07 per quarter, according to Public Works Director David Mau.
Mau said roughly 85% of village residents subscribe to this type of service.
There will also be rate increases in the less popular types of service such as twice a week curbside pickup.
“We had a healthy back and forth discussion on fees and we feel the fees proposed for 2023 are very competitive,” Mau said at the meeting. “We are at the low end of our neighboring communities for similar service.”
Further rate in future years will be tied into the local Consumer Price Index of 5% with a maximum of 5% annually.
In 2017, the village started a new initiative by outsourcing collection of solid and landscape waste and recyclable materials with LRS.
The original contract ran through Oct. 31 and both sides mutually agreed to extend it to the end of 2022.
“The services provided by LRS have been consistent and the positive experience the village has had has been evidenced by the feedback staff gets with very few negative comments over this five year period,” Mau said. “Those that do come up, LRS has handled them well.”
The contract also allows residents to change either their carts on a one time only basis in the first 12 months of the agreement.
Also, a food scrap drop off program at the Temple Court side of the village’s public works garage will continue.
“It couldn’t be a better community to work with,” LRS Municipal Services Manager Bill Kenney said at the village board meeting.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
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