The Newport City Commission on Monday voted to continue its relationship with Rumpke, which will now pick up residential trash in the city just once a week, a reduction from the current two-days-a-week.

But, the city's new agreement brings recycling across the city.

By reducing trash collection service to one day a week and adding recycling, the city will see a slight decrease in its costs of about $20,000. Had it opted to add city-wide recycling with twice a week trash collection, the costs would have increased $280,000, City Manager Tom Fromme said.

"The West End did a survey and 70 percent of residents that participated wanted recycling," Fromme said.

Rumpke was the only company to submit a bid and offered the two previously mentioned options. Though Best Way Disposal and Republic Services each visited with the City of Newport, neither ended up submitting a proposal for consideration.

New garbage toters will be available to Newport residences who can opt for a 95-gallon or 65-gallon option. Non-Rumpke trash cans can also be used, as long as they have lids, Fromme said. Additional toters are available for purchase at a cost of $85 for the 95-gallon model or $75 for the 65-gallon model. They can also be rented for $2.50 per month. 65-gallon recycling toters will be made available to residents, as will the smaller red containers for recycling if a resident prefers that.

Rumpke and the City of Newport will be sending information to residents and speaking to neighborhood groups about further instructions related to pick-up days and recycling. Currently, there are only about 400 residences that participate in the recycling program, Fromme said.

Additionally, Rumpke will tend to the 200 trash cans along city streets, host a pair of litter pick-up days for the community, and conduct a large-item pick-up day.

Mayor Jerry Peluso urged residents to participate in recycling and expressed concern about the city's clean image changing by having one less pick-up day per week. "People need to buy into it," he said.

Commissioner Thomas Guidugli agreed. "I look forward to the day when you're paying us for recycling," he told Rumpke representatives. "It's coming!"

The vote for the contract waqs unanimous, 5-0. It is valued at $950,000 per year. Fromme said that the rates for residences will likely remain the same at $220 per year, or $185 for those with a homestead exemption.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article said that the city would see a $20,000 increase in its costs with the new contract. It will actually see a $20,000 decrease in its costs. RCN regrets the error.

Written by Michael Monks, editor & publisher

Photo: Newport seen from the Ohio River (RCN file)