Rehoboth to offer citywide trash valet service
Valet trash service will be offered to all Rehoboth Beach homeowners starting Sunday, July 1.
The city commissioners will extend the service for one more year, at a cost to customers of $300 in addition to the regular trash bill.
The city will continue to offer valet trash pickup, but not recycling or yard waste pickup, services the city contracts out. The commissioners agreed to maintain city-provided service as an alternative for homeowners who cannot meet the requirements of the city’s trash ordinance, passed last year. The city instituted a pilot program in April 2016 as part of an ordinance that changed the city’s policy on trash, mandating that trash must not be put out to the curb before 6 p.m. the day before collection, and cans must be removed from the curb before 9 p.m. the day of collection.
City Manager Sharon Lynn said all told, there were 96 requests for the service with 48 property owners taking part, with $300 added to their trash bills. Lynn said the biggest issue was where the cans would be placed, but after some early problems, the program ran smoothly.
The commissioners will continue the service, although they acknowledge they cannot compete on price with private haulers.
“I’m inclined to want to keep this as an option with our residents. What is the downside? We’re not losing money. We’ve made it manageable. What’s the downside?” asked Commissioner Toni Sharp.
Karen Kolobielski, owner of private hauler KK Kan Kare, said her company charges an annual rate of $195 per customer. Kolobielski said she was surprised the city will retain valet service because it is nearly $100 more for half the service she provides. She said KK Kan Kare offers valet trash, recycling and yard waste pickup and can pick up wherever the customer wants. Kolobielski said KK Kan Kare offers weekly, monthly, seasonal and annual rates, whereas the city offers only one-year contracts.
Kolobielski said while she cannot give an exact count of her customers, she adds new people every day, and all her annual customers renewed this year.
“A lot of owners have renters in the summer months. They hire us to provide trash valet service because the renters are not sure when to put the cans out, and the owners do not want to receive a fine for being in violation of the trash ordinance. Many owners need service because they are only here on weekends in the off season or even all year, so they need someone to put their trash and recycling out during the week,” Kolobielski said.
In order to offer the service to all homeowners, the commissioners must draft an ordinance establishing the service and its terms. Debate on the draft ordinance will start at the commissioners’ workshop, 9 a.m., Monday, May 8; the measure could be passed by Friday, May 19. The city has set a deadline for enrollment by Wednesday, May 31, for the 2017-18 billing cycle.
Information will be posted on the city's website at cityofrehoboth.com, and questions can be referred to the city administrative offices, 227-6181 or information@cityofrehoboth.com.
