Government
BY THOMAS LEFFLER
Schertz City Council increases rates for garbage, recycling pickup
Timeline
2017
City of Schertz awards 10-year waste services franchise agreement to Bexar Waste—later Republic Services—to expire June 30, 2025 March: Waste services survey is sent to residents January: City engages consulting rm to assist procurement of waste services April: Frontier Waste Solutions selected for waste services
2025
were problematic. “I don’t think though that we’re in tune with the community on the frequency and the types of service that they’re expecting out of trash collection with what’s being recommended by the sta,” Davis said. The city’s relationship with Republic Services dates back to Republic’s purchase of Bexar Waste in 2017. The city rst established a waste services franchise relationship with Bexar Waste before selling to Republic.
For the rst time in seven years, Schertz City Council approved an increase to residential waste collection rates. In a 5-1 vote on April 1, the dais approved a ve year collection agreement with Frontier Waste Solutions, increasing monthly costs for residents from $14.46 to $19.20 as of July 1. Council member Mark Davis—who was the single dissenting vote—said he expected rates to go up but thought the lack of communication with the public and the loss of the spring and fall cleanups
July: New services, rates go into eect
SOURCE: CITY OF SCHERTZCOMMUNITY IMPACT
What residents are saying
Breaking it down
Garbage Recycling Bulk/Brush Household Hazardous Waste Schertz waste collection fees Garbage and recycling pickup costs will increase from $14.46 to $19.20 on July 1 for Schertz residents.
Beginning July 1, garbage will be picked up once a week, with recycling and brush/bulk pickup occurring every other week. Garbage pickup costs $12.73 per month, with recycling at $4.37 per month and brush/bulk pickup at $1 per month. The remaining $1.10 comes from a household hazardous waste option for items like pesticides, with residents able to call for a pickup and eliminate the need to take the waste anywhere outside their home, Assistant City Manager Sarah Gonzalez said. City sta recommended the $19.20 option over a $22 at rate which would have included once per week garbage, once per week recycling and every other week bulk and brush collection. The
Resident Michele Tereletsky said 96-gallon bins are anywhere from 43-46 inches tall on Amazon, noting that she is 63 inches tall. “I understand we have to go up in price, but there’s some consideration that needs to be taken on the how [it is] being done,” she said. Resident Maggie Titterington said she doesn’t think having a 96-gallon recycling cart is going to be unmanageable.
$1
$1.10
$2.05
$12.41
$12.73
Current $14.46
As of July 1 $19.20
$4.37
SOURCE: CITY OF SCHERTZCOMMUNITY IMPACT
The city of Schertz surveyed residents to name their most important waste collection feature. Schertz waste collection features
$22 at rate was not chosen because it would have resulted in a $90.48 annual increase in costs, according to agenda documents.
Votes Recycling pickup
207
Garbage collection method
Digging deeper
207
Monthly cost
157
Approximately 5,200 residential accounts receive garbage and recycling pickup once a week, and approximately 9,300 residential accounts receive twice a week garbage pickup and once per week recycling. Both once per week and twice per week residential accounts are currently charged $14.46. As part of the current agreement with Republic Services—which expires June 30—residents also receive monthly bulk pickup, access to spring and fall cleanup days, and optional curbside chipping, or brush removal, service, according to agenda documents. The new agreement with Frontier Waste Solutions
will “equalize” service across the city by standard- izing pickup schedules, Gonzalez said. Curbside chipping service will no longer be provided with the increased brush pickup frequency, which will allow the Public Works division to focus on potholes and street repair, Gonzalez added. The increased bulk and brush pickup service will also discontinue the annual fall and spring cleanups, which are 16-day periods with a temporary waste collection point. Residents will receive a new 96-gallon garbage cart and a 96-gallon recycling cart. Frontier will also provide door to truck waste collection for those who need it.
Bulky item disposal
126
Brush waste disposal 109 Household hazardous waste disposal 57
Other
42
Waiting time for special item pickup 36
SOURCE: CITY OF SCHERTZ COMMUNITY IMPACT
NOTE: RESPONDERS COULD SELECT UP TO FOUR FEATURES IN THE SURVEY.
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