Fishers Trash Update: City Backs $16 Republic Deal, August Hearing Set

What’s on the table?

The proposed deal would set residents back $16.39 per month in 2025 for a comprehensive package. We’re talking trash, recycling, and even leaf and landscaping collection – a new addition for most Fishers folks.

Republic Services also isn’t a new face in town. They’re already handling trash for nearly 60% of Fishers residents. This familiarity, along with competitive rates and a strong Central Indiana presence, put them at the top of the city’s list.

How we got here

This trash talk has been years in the making. Back in 2014, Fishers (still a town then) first floated the idea of a city-wide trash contract, but it didn’t stick.

Fast forward to 2022, Waste Management bought Ray’s Trash. Which lead to a whole host of new issues, but mainly missed pickups and outrageous price increases. We even spoke to City Council about it in December. So in 2023, the City of Fishers decided to take another swing at it. They surveyed 2,532 residents and 120 HOAs to get the lay of the land.

The results? Eye-opening, to say the least. A whopping 70% of residents were paying over $21 a month for trash collection. Even more shocking, 24% were forking out more than $41 monthly for trash and recycling combined.

Armed with this info, Fishers released its first-ever city-wide trash contract RFP in March 2024. After sifting through proposals from three companies (Waste Management, Priority Trash, and Republic Services), city staff landed on Republic Services as their top pick.

What’s next?

Mark your calendars for August 13, 2024. That’s when the Board of Public Works is holding a public hearing on this proposal. It’s your chance to trash talk (or praise) the plan before it heads to City Council this fall for a final vote.

The bottom line

Fishers is on the verge of a major shift in how it handles trash. Lower costs and new services are on the table, but nothing’s set in stone yet. The city wants to hear from you, so don’t be shy about showing up to the August hearing.

Here is a full breakdown and more details if you want to dig deeper on what city managed trash would mean for you in Fishers.

Official Recommendation Memo

Below is the official memo recommending Republic and why they think they are the best option.

Official statement from the City of Fishers

Here is the exact press release sent to me and other media companies:

Following a public RFP process, City of Fishers staff presented their recommendation of support for a city-wide trash contract with Republic Services this morning during the bimonthly Board of Public Works meeting, citing Republic’s competitive rates, long-standing presence in Central Indiana, and familiarity with the Fishers market, where it currently serves nearly 60% of Fishers residents. The proposed 10-year contract would go into effect in January 2025.Benefits of a city-wide contract include the ability for the City to assist residents with trash concerns and issues; reduced wear on neighborhood roadways; a leveraged economies of scale to secure services not currently offered to the majority of residents, such as leaf and landscaping pickup; and locked in rates for 10 years.

In 2023, the City conducted a public survey for residents and HOAs to learn more about their current trash services and preferences. 2,532 residents and 120 HOAs completed the survey, providing insight into their current monthly rates and providers. In March 2024, Fishers released a request for proposal (RFP) for its first-ever city-wide trash contract, including trash, recycling, and leaf and landscaping collection for all residential units in Fishers. Three offers were submitted, with Republic offering the lowest monthly rates for residents in the first three years. Republic’s “snowbird” feature will also allow individuals to pause services while away from their residence for a month or longer.

“This initiative will help to control the rising costs for trash collection in our community and give us the ability to advocate for residents when issues or concerns arise,” said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. “Republic has decades of experience serving Fishers, which will help to ensure a streamlined and efficient transition. Their reputation, competitive pricing, and unique features make them the best fit for our community.”   

The proposed monthly cost per household in 2025 is $16.39. According to the public survey conducted last year, this rate is lower than what 85% of residents currently pay for services. 70% of Fishers residents indicated they pay more than $21 per month for trash collection; 22% indicated they paid between $31 and $40 per month; and 24% indicated they pay more than $41 per month for trash and recycling services. For a full breakdown of proposed pricing over ten years, visit FishersIN.gov/Trash.

A public hearing and contract approval will occur at the Board of Public Works meeting on Tuesday, August 13. A final recommendation will be presented to City Council this fall.