City sticking with current contractor

St. Martinville — The City Council Monday rescinded a call for bids on the contract trash pickup service after determining that it would likely be cheaper to extend the current contract with Allied Waste Services.

The council authorized a five-year extension with no increase in fees this year, a 10 percent hike in 2009, and increases of 5 percent a year for the remainder of the contract.

Allied representative Bobby Guidry pointed out that St. Martinville’s rate, at $13.22 a month, is significantly cheaper than that of either Breaux Bridge or Henderson, both of which are scheduled for automated pickup by April.