Changes finalized in garbage/recycling services

     With the City of Monticello contracting with Republic Service of Dubuque (based in Peosta) for residential garbage and recycling services, the city council took action on June 18 to amend the fees related to the service.

     The city will be billed $10.50 per sanitation collection site per month for garbage, and $4 per collection site per month for recycling, for a total of $14.50.

     The city will apply an administrative fee of $3 per month, bringing the total of $17.50.

     However, the city’s equipment replacement fee of 50 cents per month will be removed, with the city no longer needing to set aside funds to replace sanitation vehicles.

     Residential customers will be charged $17 a month, and should have received two 65-gallon blue carts, one for garbage and one for recycling.

     The council’s approval includes a 3 percent annual increase.

     City Administrator Doug Herman said residents will no longer be required to purchase and use city garbage bags, and can have up to three bags at once in their Republic cart for pick up.

     Garbage pick up will be two days a week versus the city’s three days, on Wednesdays and Fridays. Contact City Hall for details on which day your garbage will be picked up. Recycling will be picked up every other week on Thursdays. Residents should receive information regarding the acceptable items Republic will allow for recycling.

     “The Clerk’s Office has already been getting a lot of calls and questions,” said Herman.

     If a holiday falls on Wednesday or Friday, Republic will pick up garbage the very next day, even if it falls on a weekend.

     The council approved the first reading to amend city codes pertaining to sanitation and recycling, with the city no longer providing the services.

     Herman advised residents not to leave their carts sitting on the curbside 24/7.

     “Just bring them out at the appropriate times for collection,” he said, “no more than 24 hours in advance of your scheduled collection date.”

     Republic will begin garbage and recycling pick up during the second week of July.