EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council has finalized a new contract to continue sending the community’s garbage by rail to a Central Washington landfill.
The council approved the long-haul agreement with Republic Services unanimously Wednesday. It stands to save the county an estimated $18 million over its first decade compared to current rates. It would last for 10 years, starting in mid-May, with two optional extensions of five years each.
The contract, based on per-ton rates, is expected to run about $26 million annually in initial years.
Republic Services operated the county’s landfill services since the early 1990s. The Phoenix-based company competed with its main rival, Waste Management, for the job. After years of study, the council voted last summer to pursue negotiations with Republic. The recent vote was the culmination of that process.
Councilman Terry Ryan worked on the issue as chairman of the council’s Public Works Committee and thanked staff for their work “getting the best deal for Snohomish County.”
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