Republic Services General Manager Robert Bennett provided the Town Council with a report on the company’s first three years of service as the trash and recycling hauler here.

Along with that report Bennett announced a 1.2 percent increase in current rates.

Customers receiving the basic service of one trash and one recycle pick-up per week will be paying a monthly rate of $11.58 effective July 1.

Those who have chosen to receive two trash collections per week instead of recycling will increase from $16.44 to $16.64 per month.

This is the first rate increase since Republic became the single hauler for Fountain Hills in 2011.

Bennett said over the past three years Fountain Hills residents have saved on average 30 percent over what they were paying previously for trash collection.

“We have been using Fountain Hills as an example of how well a public/private partnership can work,” Bennett said. “The new rate is an increase of 14 cents. That’s amazing over three years.”

He added that Scottsdale is charging its residents $27 per month for the same service Republic provides in Fountain Hills.

Bennett said the single hauler program has reduced truck traffic on town streets by 30 routes per week.

He said previously there were 10 routes operating daily in Fountain Hills -- equal to 50 days of traffic in one week.

Now there are five routes per day over four days a week, equaling 20 route days per week.

That provides for less wear and tear on the streets and greater resident safety, Bennett said. He also noted that is a reduction in the carbon footprint of 50 percent.

Bennett was asked about conversion of trucks to natural gas, which would reduce that footprint further.

He said Republic is opening a natural gas fueling facility in Phoenix in August that will provide fuel for 30 trucks. They plan to include the entire fleet over the next two years.

Bennett also reminded the council that Republic is offering free walk-up service for customers who need it. That is a $25 value they provide at no charge in Fountain Hills.

Town Facilities and Environmental Planner Raymond Rees said the contract with Republic allows the company to increase rates up to 5 percent beginning this year. Increases are based on inflation and fuel costs.

Republic has two more years on its initial agreement and may now increase rates each year up to 5 percent.

Rees said after 2016 the town has the option of continuing with Republic for three one-year extensions, or go back out to seek new bids for the service.