Newport Beach outsources printing, will consider private trash pickup

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The Newport Beach City Council voted to outsource its printing services and inch forward in what could eventually be the outsourcing of its refuse collection services.

The city will shut down its in-house print shop and contract with Office Depot, a move that will result in one layoff and save the city about $70,000, according to a staff report. A second print shop employee is retiring.

The decision passed unanimously on the consent calendar, but a report on the possibility of outsourcing the city’s trash collection services generated considerably more debate, the Daily Pilot reported.

A study commissioned by the city found that outsourcing trash services may result in some savings to the city, but officials pointed out that certain factors specific to Newport, such as narrow alleys and residents who enjoy unlimited trash collection, might complicate those savings.

At the meeting, attended by about a dozen of the city’s refuse haulers, council members lauded the department’s high level of service. However, they ultimately voted to develop a request for proposals to solicit plans from private companies and determine whether similar services can be provided privately at a lower cost. At the same time, the council voted to have staffers evaluate ways of making the existing city department more efficient.

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-- Jill Cowan, Times Community News