Compromise Struck In Hinsdale Trash Pact

HINSDALE, IL – The Hinsdale Village Board on Tuesday approved a three-year garbage contract after striking a compromise on fuel.

At a meeting two weeks ago, Village President Tom Cauley objected to a provision that would allow Phoenix-based Republic Services to raise its fees once the diesel price reached $4.75 a gallon.

Under the terms, residents would pay an extra nickel for every 10 cents that the price of fuel increases. That clause could be carried out yearly, starting in October 2024.

Cauley said $4.75 was too close to the market price of $4.50, essentially giving the company a "freebie" in the contract. He suggested $5.25 be the trigger.

Republic agreed to go to $5.

"I think that is a good compromise," Trustee Neale Byrnes said. "We have a little leeway if the price of diesel goes up."

Under the contract, Republic's fees will increase for 90 percent of residents. The increases are 4.3 percent annually for the next three years, which officials said would amount to $12 more a year.

During an August board meeting, Cauley said he would like to go out to bid for the contract in three years. The village has contracted with Republic since 2007, with the current contract going back five years.

He said the village did not have enough time to go out to bid this time.

The new contract is set to start Nov. 1.