Living in Thompson Falls, MT, we've witnessed first-hand the constant increase in costs for waste management services coupled with decreasing bin sizes, imposed upon us by the current monopoly, Republic Services. This situation has become untenable, affecting the financial well-being of our community, especially those on fixed incomes who find it increasingly difficult to manage their household budgets due to these rising costs.

Republic Services, the sole provider of trash services in our area, continues to operate without any competition, which allows them to unilaterally set prices and conditions. According to publicly available data, waste management service prices have risen by nearly 20% over the last three years, while simultaneously, the standard bin size has decreased from 96 gallons to 65 gallons. This leaves residents with little choice but to pay more for less.

A competitive marketplace is a fundamental principle of our economy, fostering innovation, improving service quality, and ensuring fair pricing. By introducing an open-competition framework for trash services in Thompson Falls, we can allow new service providers to enter the market. This will not only give residents options but will also drive the current service provider to improve and offer more consumer-friendly pricing and services.

Some residents might worry about the transition, but many other communities have successfully introduced competition into their service markets with excellent results. For instance, in other parts of Montana, like Missoula, introducing competition led to a 15% average decrease in household waste management costs within the first two years. This is a clear indication of the potential benefits we can experience in Thompson Falls.

Implementing this change requires the support of the Thompson Falls local government. We, therefore, propose the establishment of a citizen initiative to mandate this open-competition framework in our town, ensuring residents have a voice and a choice when it comes to selecting a waste management provider.

Please sign this petition to urge our town leaders to consider and realize an open, competitive waste service marketplace in Thompson Falls, thereby ensuring fair pricing and quality services for all residents.