CORTLAND — City council will move forward with a new garbage contract after weeks of debate over service levels, costs and whether curbside recycling should remain part of the package.

The city has been operating under a contract extension with its current waste hauler, Republic Services. Council members have been reviewing terms and conditions, particularly how to secure the best contract for residents.

One major point of discussion has been the city’s curbside recycling program. At recent meetings, some residents asked whether recycling could be offered as an opt-out option for those looking to save money.

Council invited Jennifer Jones of the Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste Management District to explain how recycling is handled in municipal contracts. She said opt-out clauses make it economically unviable for private companies to provide the service.

Jones urged council to include recycling in the bid package.

“There are no recycling locations anywhere in Cortland,” she said. “Your residents are going to have to drive significantly to get to a drop-off site. Curbside recycling is a great service.”

Council President John Picuri said the city must decide whether it wants to continue offering recycling.

“It sounds like we need to make a decision as a city and as a council and as an administration whether we want to have recycling or not,” Picuri said.

After discussion and questions, council voted to advertise for bids while keeping curbside recycling intact.

Under the proposed contract, each residence would receive one standard wheeled trash cart and one standard wheeled recycling cart, supplied by the waste company.

Jones said haulers are increasingly using automated trucks with robotic or hydraulic arms, which require standardized carts.

The bid package will seek prices for one, two or three carts per household. Bag service for seniors or residents who produce limited trash also will be priced.

Bids will be posted Friday and advertised for eight weeks, with a bid opening scheduled for March 23. Service under the new contract would begin Sept. 30.

Council also:

• Gave first reading to an ordinance to purchase a used truck for water operations. The purchase is not to exceed $30,000. The current vehicle has been in service since 1984.

• Approved Rhonda Horn, clerk of council, as the public records designee for city council.

• Heard a report from Dave Kovacs from the Cortland Lions Club. The Lions Club requested permission to hold their annual street fair June 25 to 27. To coincide with America250, Kovacs said the theme this year would be honoring veterans.

• Heard from Fire Chief David Rea, who discussed succession planning in the Cortland Fire Department. The chief plans to retire this year. The city civil service commission will be working with the state Fire Chiefs’ Association to administer testing and exams to help select the new fire chief; the city also wishes to hold a captain’s exam at the same time to cover any replacements needed in the department. The chief said he will be retiring no later than the end of July.