Thursday, the Santa Rosa County (SRC) Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) accepted Emerald Coast Utility Authority’s (ECUA) proposal for waste collection and recyclable pick up north of the Yellow River. Staff is now in the process of developing a joint resolution with ECUA and an interlocal agreement, according to SRC Administrator Hunter Walker.
Three companies bid for the spot, which required garbage, recyclable, and yard waste pick up as well as mandatory side door pick-up for the handicapped. According to County Administrator, Hunter Walker, the county will go with twice a week garbage pick-up. Waste Management offered the most expensive bid at $90 per quarter to the customer. Waste Pro offered $85.35. Finally, ECUA offered $47.88. Note these numbers reflect the franchise area north of the Highway 182 boundary line. Bids also included prices for the area south of Highway 182 and the combination of the two. No matter the pricing, ECUA bid significantly lower in every scenario.
During Monday’s BOCC meeting, County Administrator Hunter Walker pointed out the low bid by ECUA and Commissioners Jim Melvin, Jayer Williamson, and Don Salter expressed concern over how ECUA could bid so low. Melvin asked how long the contract guaranteed those prices, saying some companies make up the difference by raising prices in the last year. Walker said it would be for three years. Williamson, with business experience in bidding, asked to have staff confirm the ECUA bid on the same things as the Waste Pro and Waste Management. He also said with close bids, the choice hangs on service over price, but said customers could save anywhere from $150 to $180 going with ECUA.
Salter said, “We’re all for giving the best value to our consumer but when something is this far apart I just want to make sure staff feels comfortable that ECUA can do what they’re saying they’re going to do.”
Commissioner Bob Cole asked if there would be some kind of performance bond in case ECUA had to renege on the contract. Walker confirmed Thursday a performance bond will be included and expects a guarantee of the price for the length of the contract. Otherwise, he said, the county wouldn’t enter into a contract if the price could change to a cost not published.
As to existing small waste haulers in Santa Rosa County, County Attorney Roy Andrews said there’s a grandfathering clause for existing permitted haulers in SRC who utilize less than 15,000 pound gross weight vehicles. Melvin said, “The small haulers, as defined in the agreement are not going to be affected.”
The BOCC has been discussing the return of recycling to the north end of the county for months, ever since West Florida Recycling declared bankruptcy in April. Residents likely remember the problems with the public drop-off locations as part of the recycling troubles. Commissioner Cole said there are no immediate plans to look at those drop-off spots but may do so in the future if the need arises, such as in rural areas. After the staff works out the contracts with ECUA, expect to see them come through a future BOCC meeting. Cole said he anticipates collection beginning early next year if not sooner.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: ECUA awarded north end contract for trash, recycles