SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The Flint City Council announced its decision to extend the contract with Priority Waste to handle Flint’s waste collection until 2028. The decision follows several months of debate.

The two day meeting of the Council held on Monday, Nov. 13 and Tuesday, Nov. 14 approved the resolution to extend the contract by a 5-1 vote. The extended contract will see the cost per household unchanged upon comparison with current rates.

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The extended contract will also gain access to a $4.3 million grant funding towards supply of new wheeled garbage and recycling bins to residents. The funding will be provided by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and the Recycling Partnership.

Mayor Sheldon Neeley, in a statement, noted that he is pleased that the Flint City Council was able to advance the long-delayed initiative, which he had vehemently campaigned for. The City can now move forward with much more enhanced and stabilized recycling collection services for Flint residents, he added.

The Council members had delayed action on the proposal to extend the contract during prior meetings. The lone vote against the extension was casted by Council member Dennis Pfeiffer, on the back of rising concerns over the deficit in Flint’s trash fund.