ATHENS, Ohio — Athens city administration asked the city council Monday night for permission to renew the city’s contract with Rumpke for solid waste services for another two years, with no rate increases.
City Service-Safety Director Andy Stone said the existing contract with Rumpke has been in place for three and-a-half years and is set to expire June 30, 2027. The current contract allows for a two-year extension subject to mutual agreement, he said.
“Tonight, I’m asking you for the authority to grant that extension,” Stone said.
Stone and Mayor Steve Patterson cited the extension offer as a good agreement for customers and for city government, as it would avoid the need to go to bid for services. It would also keep trash haul prices in place despite inflation, they both said.
“Would the Athens-Hocking Recycling Center have a chance at this?” asked council member Beth Clodfelter, At Large, regarding a possible bid allowed for other waste service entities.
Stone said “No,” and that the Athens-Hocking Recycling Center “really isn’t functioning as an organization any longer.” In late 2025, the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District absorbed the recycling center.
Michael Wood, 3rd Ward, said open bidding should at least be considered.
Clodfelter requested that an inquiry be made to the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District to determine if they would be interested in bidding for the city’s solid waste and recycling contract.
Swank said he has received generally positive comments from residents on the Far East Side about trash haul services, but said customers are concerned about composting. The number of composting customers for Rumpke has appeared to decrease, he said.
Stone said the contract can be adjusted to allow for multi-unit composting to accommodate students.
The city pays Rumpke between $1.89–$2 million annually to provide waste and recycling services. In January 2024, Rumpke beat out the Athens-Hocking Recycling Center’s bid by about $300,000.
Most Athens households pay $22.73 monthly for a single trash can, which increases to $31.35 for two cans and $34.50 for three cans. A standard litter fee of $1 per month is applied. Those who do curbside composting using a Rumpke container pay an additional $8.42 monthly.
The possible two-year extension to Rumpke will be placed on next Monday’s council agenda, to be discussed Nov. 2.
Non-union compensation
Human Resources Director Ron Lucas provided the Finance and Personnel Committee with results of a pay study that the city conducts every five years. The study looks at how to adjust pay rates for the city’s non-union personnel to bring them on par with unionized employees, who collectively bargain.
Non-union workers account for one-third of the city’s 168 full-time employees, or 56 people total. They are classified within three different pay grades, with each increasing hourly compensation based on years of service.
Hourly pay increases in 2027 within the non-union employees compensation package will amount to $333,000, Lucas said. The pay study considers metrics including changes to the consumer price index the past five years and comparing the city’s compensation to the same positions in other cities.
Lucas said fringe benefits for non-union personnel will also increase, including:
- An educational incentive for degrees earned.
- Professional certificates and licensures.
- A stipend for attending five or more professional development seminars and webinars.
- Cell phone allowance.
- A sick leave conversion of up to 960 hours for those who retire within 30 days of their retirement date.
- Increasing personal days from two to three, plus birthdays.
- A physical and mental wellness incentive payment, with $1,000 offered to those completing wellness exams.
- Extra compensation of $2/hour to immediate subordinates of department heads who fill in at the higher position for longer than one week.
Audience member Mary Abel asked how much the non-union fringe benefit package would cost the city in 2027. Stone said it would depend on the number of employees who take advantage of offerings, such as the educational incentive.
Rental Inspection Processes Subcommittee
Solveig Spjeldnes, a former city council member and Ohio University social work professor, provided an update about the Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Commission Subcommittee to the Committee of the Whole.
The committee’s goal is to create a rental community for Athens that works well for renters, landlords, and the code office, Spjeldnes said.
Spjeldnes emphasized that she did not wish to present any collection of results now, which are ongoing using surveys and other means, and asked the council for an extension to February 2027 year to make a final presentation.
Progress to date includes:
- Revisions to housing inspection reports from Code Enforcement Director Tom Pyle, making them more transparent and easier to analyze; and hiring of a fourth code enforcement officer.
- Interviews with multiple organizations about rental code inspection processes, including the Athens City-County Health Department, Athens Municipal Housing Authority, Hocking Athens Perry Community Action Program housing staff, local landlords, off-campus housing representatives, the Ohio Student Renters Association, and other groups.
- An examination of housing crisis issues, such as lack of affordable housing including rentals; legal issues; potential areas for rental housing, including The Ridges area; and potential projects using the state’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.
- An examination of best practices, including a look at what comparable communities are doing to enhance rental housing.
- Student renter surveys and focus groups with tenants, landlords, property management and maintenance workers.
- An examination of eviction issues.
Athens City Council’s next meeting will be held 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at Athens City Hall, Council Chambers, third floor, 8 E. Washington St. Meetings are also streamed online.
Regular sessions are on the first and third Mondays of the month; committee meetings are on the second and fourth Mondays.
