(STURGIS) – The City of Sturgis is looking at ending curbside recycling.

Wednesday night, City Manager Andrew Kuk shared with the City Commission information on the curbside recycling program, starting with how it began. ...... {LISTEN}.

The City paid for that through a State Law that allowed Sturgis to add $2 to resident’s bills to offset that cost.

The contract with Borden has been extended several times with the cost going up going up to $1.97 per unit per month. The current contract expires on December 31.

Kuk says the City issued a Request For Proposals to see what other vendors would charge and to get an idea on the cost for recycling services. He says only one company responded. ...... {LISTEN}.

With that increase, and even with the $2 per month the City charges, Kuk says Sturgis would still have to pay approximately $150,000 a year to cover the difference.

The Commission discussed both keeping the service and not renewing it. The majority of the Commissioners leaned towards not having recycling anymore if it meant diverting funds from other areas to cover costs.

No official action was taken by the Commission. The matter will be discussed again during a future meeting.