Windsor voters resoundingly rejected Measure Q, an effort backed by the city’s current trash hauler that would have changed the way the city operates around one of its most lucrative contracts, for recycling and trash service at the edge of the field.

With 49 percent of all potential votes counted, only 23 percent of voters supported the measure, indicating a lopsided loss if that margin holds through updated counts.

Early results show voters favored keeping the city’s competitive bidding process and 10-year contract limits, which Windsor voters first instituted in 1996.

The measure was placed on the ballot by the city’s current trash hauler, Sonoma County Resource Recovery, whose contract is set to expire in 2027. The trash hauler said ending the 10-year contracts would allow providers to offer rates lower on future garbage offers. among others.

Sonoma County Resource Recovery conceded defeat on the measure Wednesday.

“The loss of Measure Q is disappointing, but we will continue business as usual,” said Alissa Johnson, business manager for Sonoma County Resource Recovery. “Our company’s current garbage collection will not change.”

City Council documents shows Windsor’s trash pickup and recycling rates are the second highest in the county. Current monthly rates are $28.62 for 20-gallon containers, $37.50 for 32-gallon containers, $57.65 for 64-gallon containers, and $87.31 for 96-gallon containers.

Sonoma County Resource Recovery poured in $263,738 of his own money in the Measure Q campaign. Of those funds, the campaign spent a total of $206,000 on campaign consultants, campaign materials, mailing costs, polling, attorney fees and bookkeeping. The costs included a $66,000 tab for petition costs to Newport Beach On the ground Inc.a political consulting firm that, among other things, provides voter registration, signature gathering and research services.

Amie Windsor is the community journalism team leader with The Press Democrat. She can be reached at [email protected] or 707-521-5218.