OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) - The city of Omaha does not have a recycling contract for next year.
The development comes after the city council voted four to three to deny a contract with NebraskaLand Recycling.
The contract would have paid NebraskaLand, the low bidder, over $2 million per year to take over for Firstar Fiber, who currently handles city recycling.
The contract with Firstar Fiber expires in just over two months.
Some of the council members were worried if NebraskaLand could handle the job. Another concern was the 10 year contract being too long.
The city can choose another bidder, re-bid the contract or pay the daily rate, with no contract, for a short time.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert released the following statement after the vote:
"The City Council vote against the recycling contract is a vote against taxpayers. Our taxpayers expect us to spend their money wisely. Nebraskaland is qualified and capable of processing Omaha’s recycling. The company bid a realistic and fair price, saving taxpayers more than $1 million annually. Without a contract, the council members who voted no have put recycling processing at risk. There is no guarantee what the daily processing rate will be. No one wins, not the companies, and not the taxpayer."
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