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Columbus Renews Recycling Contract At Much Higher Cost

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Columbus City Council last night approved a contract with Rumpke to collect recyclables and yard waste over the next five years. The 45 million dollar contract is 40 percent more than what the city paid Rumpke in 2012, when the curbside recycling program began. Sponsoring council member Elizabeth Brown says given that the current contract expires March 31 and the popularity of curbside service, council had to approve the deal or end the program.

Columbus Public Service Director Jennifer Gallagher says several firms bid on the deal five years ago, but Rumpke was the only bidder this time. She says the city contacted previous bidders to see why they didn't make one this time.

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More than 200 thousand households participate in the curbside program, extending the life of the county landfill and saving the city 8.5 million dollars in tipping fees. Council also approved public subsidies for three private businesses. Council member Brown says mortgage banker Primero Home Loans LLC is getting a 5-year, 25-percent income tax break to move out of Powell and bring 105 existing and new jobs to Columbus.

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Brown says credit card maker Total System Services is getting a 5-year,  55 percent income tax break to create 140 new jobs.

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And generic drug maker West-Ward Pharmaceuticals is getting a 55-percent tax credit to expand its Wilson Road plant, retaining or creating 1320 jobs.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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