In 2027, Merriam residents will pay $274 for solid waste services under the city’s new single hauler contract. That annual fee may be around $125 cheaper for some residents; still, it’ll go up by about $8 each year through 2030.

The Merriam City Council last week unanimously approved an annual assessment for the new citywide solid waste contract with GFL Environment that officially kicks off on Nov. 1.

In a 2024 city survey, 21% of respondents said that they paid between $81 to $100 for trash services. Another 42% said they paid more than $100 for trash. Of all respondents, one-third said they paid for trash on a quarterly basis. That means that, generally, $274 is a cost savings of $50 a year for residents on the low end of that spectrum and upwards of $125 a year for residents on the high end of that spectrum.

Last week’s decision means that rather than use a fixed-cost for the five-year contract, which runs through Dec. 31, 2030, the city council needs to set the amount residents pay for solid waste services each year.

For 2027, the cost per Merriam household is $274.49 for solid waste services for the entire year.

That $274.49 amount will increase around $7.50 to $8 annually through the end of the contract on Dec. 31, 2030, to account for the 3% annual increase included in the GFL contract and other administrative and operational costs.

This comes a year after the city finalized a five-year contract with GFL for solid waste services for the entire city, moving away from a multi-hauler system.

Merriam will increase solid waste costs annually

The city council last week had the option to either set a fixed cost, $282.29, through the end of the contract, or adjust the annual cost each year based on the 3% annual increase.

The city council ultimately decided to increase costs annually, largely to avoid any “sticker shock” when either a contract renewal or a new bid is needed in 2031.

With a roughly $7.50 to $8 annual increase projected per year, here’s a look at what Merriam residents will pay for solid waste services for the next several years, as outlined in city documents:

• In 2026, $267.15, prorated to Nov. 1 when the contract actually starts
• In 2027, $274.49
• In 2028, $282.06
• In 2029, $289.86
• In 2030, $297.90

The annual increases include the up to 3% annual increase under the GFL contract as well as administrative costs from the city.

Councilmembers worried about “sticker shock”

In general, the city council agreed that an annual adjustment to the solid waste fee better served residents because, when the contract is up in 2031, a price increase won’t be as much of a surprise.

Councilmember Jason Silvers said he thinks it will be less jarring for residents when the contract is up in 2031 if the city opts for the annual adjustment route.

Councilmember Reuben Cozmyer said he was “leaning toward” the option for a fixed assessment, but that Silvers made good points about how that would result in “a much more surprising jump from 2030 to 2031.”

Like Silvers and Cozmyer, Councilmember Bruce Kaldahl said he’s worried about the potential for a large increase after the contract is up.

“I think the question becomes, to all of us, are you going to be on the council in 2031, because we could have a big sticker shock and I would like to avoid that,” Kaldahl said.

When is my collection day?

GFL plans to pick up solid waste in Merriam three days a week, Monday through Wednesday.

The collection days for specific areas are as follows, according to the city’s website:

• Monday, all homes north of Johnson Drive to 47th Street
• Tuesday, all homes between Johnson Drive and Shawnee Mission Parkway
• Wednesday, all homes south of Shawnee Mission Parkway to 75th Street

Keep reading local government news: Developer says this Lenexa Hy-Vee retail center needs a facelift. Shoppers will help pay for it