Marietta trash collection is the latest victim of inflation. If residents don’t see the price increase on their current trash and recyclable collection bill, they’ll see it on the upcoming one.

The increase from Rumpke of Ohio is from 20-25 percent, according to Marietta Safety Service Director Steve Wetz. That is a rough estimate since the increase is based on services that can vary, such as the number of weekly collections, he said.

But the message from Wetz and Mayor Josh Schlicher is that it could have been a lot worse if the city hadn’t done due diligence on the bids for Marietta’s trash business.

“I’ve had a number of calls from people who are upset,” Wetz said, “but I explain that we really did our homework in trying to find the best possible price. We used the bid process and we sent out several requests for proposals. We were lucky to have two bids come back in, so that we could compare and choose the one that is a lot less costly, even if there is a price increase.”

Wetz is referring to the city’s most recent five-year contract with Rumpke of Ohio for trash and recyclable collection services ended June 30.

A July 18 letter from the mayor to Marietta citizens said in preparation for the contract expiration, the city issued a Request for Proposal to several qualified trash collection companies.

“In the end, the city only received two qualifying bids: Rumpke of Ohio and Kimble Companies. One company, Waste Management, submitted a No Bid letter,” the letter said. Each company’s bid packet was opened and recorded in the presence of the other company.

The bids were then reviewed in detail by Budget and Procurement Director Mitch Dimmerling, Wetz and Schlicher.

“Through the review we learned that Rumpke was approximately $400,000 less per year overall than Kimble,” the letter said.

Rumpke was selected to be the collection provider again for the next five-year contract commencing July 1 because it was $400,000 less.

“There is an inevitable price increase that we all have to endure due to inflation, fuel cost and other circumstances beyond our control,” the letter said. “This price increase will likely be displayed on your current Rumpke bill. If not, it will be displayed on your upcoming bill. Rest assured that my administration worked hard to get the lowest cost possible for your trash collection and recyclable collections services. And as always, feel free to call me or my administration at 740-373-1387 with any questions that you may have.”

Nancy Taylor can be reached at ntaylor@newsandsentinel.com.