CHELSEA, Alabama -- The City of Chelsea is anticipating a switch in its residential garbage and recycling collection company after bids for the municipal contract are unsealed March 25.

The city has been seeking bids for residential trash service in light of the municipality's contract with Republic Services ending May 31 after three years.

Mayor Earl Niven said Republic Services requested a $2.25 a month increase in the city's residential fee of $9.43. "We said no thank you," Niven said during the City Council's work session Tuesday night.

The city has been seeking bids for service that includes city-wide collection "of household waste, rubbish, curbside recycling, and related services," according to the request for bids.

The bid opening will be at 10 a.m. March 25 at City Hall. "It may be the same company we have now, but I doubt it," Niven said.

"We're hoping that we will make a quick decision where we will be in operation with a new company" starting in June, he said.