Rolling Meadows to study privatization of garbage pickup

With nearly 150 residents looking on, Rolling Meadows officials decided Tuesday to further research possible privatization of garbage collection as a way to save money.

Mayor Ken Nelson said at Tuesday's city council committee meeting he received 160 phone calls and 150 e-mails over the weekend, the vast majority supporting the current city-run garbage collection.

Alderman John Pitzaferro said "30 to 40 percent" of the residents he talked to opposed privatization, adding he was very happy with the current garbage system and would "pay a significant increase" to keep it.

Longtime resident and former alderman Rudy Balek opposes privatization.

"I don't think a private contractor will do the same job as well as our employees do," he said.

At the meeting, council members decided to survey neighboring communities that use private garbage service for price and service comparisons. Curbside collection currently costs Rolling Meadows residents $28 a month.

City officials are unsure what savings they would see by going private, and the staff estimates research to determine savings could take hundreds of hours. Because sanitation workers also do snowplowing, brush removal and help on other city jobs, it is unlikely the city would be able to cut their positions.

"Don't we have to keep the personnel anyway, so what savings would there be?" said Alderman Barb Lusk.

Alderman Larry Buske raised complaints about current garbage service from senior citizens. Some feel it is unfair they pay a flat charge for garbage collection, he said, even if they put out only one or two bags a month, and they pay the full fee when they are away at winter homes.

Alderman John D'Astice was skeptical the phone calls and e-mails opposing privatization really represent the desires of the entire city, and he said the best way to decide the issue would be a referendum.