NILES — City council members voted unanimously Monday night to postpone a decision to select a trash hauler to contract with the city and provide optional refuse collection for city residents.

The issue was initially discussed last month during a committee of the whole meeting. Public Works Director Joe Ray proposed that offering a city contracted trash service on residents’ utility bills could encourage residents to dispose of their trash properly. Unlike a similar proposal two years ago, residents would have the option to select their own provider or the municipal service.

While city council members seemed to agree that something needs to be done to encourage residents to dispose of their garbage properly, instead of leaving it in backyards or basements, the topic turned contentious when some argued that the proposal might not accomplish the goal and could potentially stifle the business of other refuse haulers.

Council member Bob Durm motioned for city leaders to “indefinitely table” the item Monday night. He said it was appropriate given Mayor Nick Shelton and council member Daniel VandenHeede were absent from Monday’s meeting.

The city first put out a calling in May for bids for a five-year contract for refuse collection and disposal services. Bids were received from Michiana Recycling & Disposal, Republic Service and Waste-Away. Republic offered the lowest bid at $16 a month for refuse collection and disposal. They also agreed to lower the bid to $15 per month if at least 2,001 residents sign up for the service and $13 per month if more than 3,000 sign up.

But Michiana Recycling & Disposal business owner Henry Valkema argued that these prices do not include recycling and that the bid specifications disadvantaged his company because he uses a one-truck system to collect recycling and garbage. His business model also separates recycling from garbage so that essentially every customer recycles. 

Although the item was tabled, Valkema questioned why Republic’s bid was recommended.

“If they would have been fair, apple for apples, garbage and recycling together, Michiana’s bid is $8 per month cheaper than Republic, if you add the yard waste component $17 per month cheaper,” Valkema said.

Several others spoke about the issues. Some residents said that constituents had not been given enough time to voice their opinions on the topic, while another said they did not believe a contracted hauler would stop people from disposing of their garbage improperly.

Before the meeting came to a close, Durm said he believed that the public was reacting to some misinformation out about the proposal for city trash hauler. 

“I feel like people think we are trying to do something behind people’s backs and that this is something unusual,” Durm said. “It’s not unusual. We are in the minority — more communities have a municipal waste service.”

Council member John DiCostanzo agreed that there seemed to be a lot of misunderstanding about the issue. He said he received feedback from his constituents on his Facebook page and that most of the comments appeared to be in opposition. To clear up any misunderstandings and incorporate public feedback he made a motion that before council members make a vote, they host a public forum to explain the topic and get feedback. The motion passed unanimously.