Warrenton aldermen are expected to decide at next Tuesday's board meeting whether or not to implement mandatory recycling in 2012. City officials are mulling whether or not to begin charging residents for the service even if they choose not to participate in the recycling program. The issue was discussed by aldermen as they reviewed trash hauling bids at their last meeting on Nov. 15. They decided to not take any action on the bids since two board members - Phil Tallo and Beth Kendall - were absent. The board is expected to award the trash hauling contract at its next meeting on Dec. 6. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Though they support the benefits recycling provides to the environment, aldermen are mixed on a citywide recycling concept. Some aldermen have reservations about mandating it. The economic times also will likely play a factor in the board's decision at next week's meeting. Christian Environmental had the lowest three-year average monthly rate of $11.67 for single family and duplexes and $10.55 for senior citizens if all residents were charged for recycling. The average monthly rates over the next three years from Wilson Waste, the city's current trash hauler, are $12.25 for single family and duplexes and $11.12 for seniors. Daynes Waste Disposal had the third-lowest rate at $12.90 for single families and duplexes and $11.85 for seniors. Should the city proceed with the mandatory recycling program, each residence would receive a 64-gallon cart from the trash hauler. If the city continued to allow residents to choose to recycle or not, the average monthly trash collection rates over the next three years would be $8.96 from Daynes Waste Disposal, $9.28 for Christian Environmental and $9.50 for Wilson Waste for single families and duplexes. The monthly cost for seniors would be $8 from Daynes, $8.25 from Christian Environmental and $8.35 from Wilson Waste. If residents chose to recycle, the additional average fee on top of the normal trash only rate over the next three years would be $1.25 (Wilson Waste), $1.62 (Christian Environmental) or $3.83 (Daynes) depending on who the winning bidder was. Currently, residents who elect to recycle pay an additional $2.25 monthly fee. Ward 1 Dan Dieckmann, a vocal proponent of citywide recycling in the past, reiterated he is 100 percent in favor of a citywide recycling program. "If we went to recycling citywide, I look at it as a major benefit not only to ourselves but to the future of our city and future to our children down the road," he remarked. "Anybody that doesn't think so should visit the recycling facilities in St. Charles, St. Louis and Chicago and see the massive volume that does get recycled that does stay out of our landfills, our rivers, our oceans. If we don't be proactive here and assist our citizens on stepping forward in the future, we're taking a step backward here." Ward 3 Alderman Don Broering also supports recycling, though he was hesitant on introducing a new expense for residents. In January, the city made the decision for residents to begin paying for trash collection. Currently, 566 residences recycle in the city. Broering said that accounted to approximately 30 percent of the city's residences. He suggested that participation reach 65 percent before the city proceeds with making recycling mandatory. "I would like to see citywide recycling, but I don't want to repeat actions of our federal government and let's mandate everything and live with it," Broering said. "My feeling is with citywide recycling, we should look at it when we get to voluntary rate of 65 percent or greater. We have 70 percent of people not participating. Mandatory recycling would not increase overall participation." Ward 3 Alderman John Clark was hesitant on awarding a contract at the last meeting without the entire board in attendance. Ward 2 Alderman Fred Flake was undecided as well. Regardless of the decision on recycling, city officials said they are pleased with the trash hauling bids. Officials had expected a significant price jump, but future monthly rates will be similar to what residents currently are paying. Waste Management also submitted a bid, but its rates were considerably higher and are not being considered. The city's current monthly trash collection rates are: single family or duplex residence, $9.30; single family, or duplex residence - senior citizen, $8; multifamily residential unit, $7.55; multifamily residential unit - senior citizen, $7. The monthly rates include a 55-cent administrative fee assessed by the city, with the exception of seniors 62 and older who qualify for the discount. -recnews@centurytel.net