Rolling Meadows refuse collection expected to stay in-house

Rolling Meadows is likely to stick with its public refuse service for the time being, City Manager Sarah Phillips said Wednesday.

The city, one of the few Northwest suburbs that hasn't privatized its garbage pickup, has been investigating privatization, and in June sent out surveys to area towns with similar demographics.

Phillips said what they've found out so far is that Rolling Meadows currently provides more refuse services to residents than their neighbors with privatized service.

Phillips added that many residents have objected to changing the garbage collection system, because they like the services provided.

The survey results so far - 9 out of 21 surveys returned - indicated communities that have equitable garbage pickup to Rolling Meadows pay more for it.

Since the point of investigating privatization was to see if the city could save money, the savings would have to be significant enough to change the whole system, Phillips said.

"Some people don't want to change for a few bucks (saved) a year," said Phillips.

Highlights of Rolling Meadows' current system include unlimited yard waste collection, back door pickup for handicapped residents and seniors, and special refuse collections after floods or power outages.

Rolling Meadows is one of the few cities left to have in-house garbage pickup.

Phillips doesn't anticipate a change in service, but if it does happen it won't be until next year, she said.

She added the city still is investigating ways to save money and that some changes may happen down the line, but it won't be a total revamp of the system.

"There could be some changes," she said. "Our intent is to bring forth some cost saving measures."

The issue was further discussed at Tuesday night's Committee of the Whole meeting, but only four council members attended. Phillips said the council did not give any specific direction of where to move from here.

More information and results from the survey are available at cityrm.org under the July 20 Committee of the Whole agenda.