In a letter to the editor that appeared in the Jan. 23 issue of the Renton Reporter, George Toulouse expressed his concerns about solid waste service and rates in Benson Hill.

First of all, I would like to clear up a misunderstanding that Mr. Toulouse has regarding the rates in Benson Hill. Following the implementation of the new solid-waste contract with Waste Management, rates for Benson Hill residents actually went down from a base monthly residential rate of $35.30 to $18.41 (for a 35-gallon garbage cart).

While it is true that residents of the Benson Hill community did see a change in their garbage and recycling service, the frequency of the collection of yard waste and food scraps will now be weekly year-round. In addition, with the expanded options for removal of more recyclable materials and all food-soiled papers and food scraps, which can now be placed in the yard waste cart, there is potential for dramatically reducing the volume of material placed in the garbage cart.

It was the city’s intention to maintain the previous Waste Management contract to Benson Hill residents for seven years as provided by state law. However, during final contract negotiations with Waste Management, the city was given an opportunity to offer greatly reduced rates while providing services to Benson Hill residents that would be consistent with the new service contract for the rest of the city. This opportunity was too good to pass up.

We would like to assure all our Waste Management residential customers within the Benson Hill community that we believe we negotiated an excellent solid-waste contract that maintains a high level of service and increases recycling, while at the same time reduces rates and minimizes the volume of garbage heading to our landfills.

Gregg Zimmerman, City of Renton Public Works Department administrator