Indiana city looks to subpoena Red River CEO to address trash collection concerns

Nearly a month after Red River Waste Solutions filed bankruptcy, council members in Fort Wayne, Indiana, have requested to subpoena the current president to address unanswered questions about the future of Red River and the city’s trash collection service.

As reported by Wane.com, Councilman Russ Jehl said, “I left last week’s solid waste advisory board meeting under the impression almost no, perhaps, none at all real discussion has taken place between Fort Wayne leadership and Red River leadership over the past two years.”

He continued, “Also the performance bond which is to protect the citizens of Fort Wayne and there’s a default may be in jeopardy because it needs to be renewed annually on a calendar year basis. Time is of the essence and waiting around and hoping that things get better is proven for four years to be a poor strategy. I propose that the council invite Red River’s CEO to brief us directly and when he rejects that we inquire the legality to subpoena him.”

In January 2018, Red River took over Fort Wayne’s trash and recycling contract which covers over 25,000 homes. Since then, thousands of complaints have been filed against the Texas-based trash collection company.

After the company filed for bankruptcy on Oct. 14, council asked that an official from the company be present at the meeting. However, due to a “scheduling conflict,” officials did not attend.

During the meeting, several council members raised concerns about the ongoing complaints on missed or late trash pickups. Some members were also worried about rate hikes, Wane.com reports.

Councilman Tom Didier has asked that council also send a letter to state lawmakers about what they can do in the future. Due to state law, the city must take the lowest bidder for a contract. For example, the city went with Red River for trash removal instead of staying with Republic Services because Red River made a lower bid.

In order to obtain answers about the future of Fort Wayne’s trash collection, council president Paul Ensley has asked that council members sign a formal invitation to invite Red River CEO James A. Smith to their Nov. 16 meeting.