Trash vendors submit proposals to Delray Beach
Delray residents could see a break in their garbage bills soon.
Proposals from two of the five interested garbage providers that submitted proposed rates to the city are less than rates residents are paying for trash pick-up.
Service proposals from interested vendors were due Friday and one of the vendors is the city's current provider, Waste Management.
Delray commissioners took Waste Management to court in 2013. The battle was over a Commission vote in 2012, which extended Delray's $65 million garbage-service contract with Waste Management until 2021 without sending it out to bid.
Some new commissioners, who were newly elected at the time, said the extension broke the city's own rules.
Delray's rules state that any contract more than $15,000 must be competitively bid, which would void the current 'no-bid' deal the city has with Waste Management.
In March, a judge agreed with the city, which in turn allowed the city to scan the field in hopes of getting residents the best price for garbage collection for the first time in a decade.
Five companies responded by the deadline: Advanced Disposal Services Solid Waste Southeast, Inc., Republic Services of Florida, Southern Waste Systems, Waste Pro of Florida Inc. and Waste Management.
The lowest proposal came from Southern Waste Systems, which would charge residents, who use curbside pick-up with garbage carts, $8.95 a month. That fee does not include any administrative or franchise fees. A majority of the city's residents use curbside pick-up with garbage carts.
For the same service, Waste Management would charge $9.98 a month. Residents now pay $12.27 a month.
The other proposals come in higher than the current rates, but price isn't the only thing the city will review in selecting its next trash hauler. The city will review safety records, history in other cities and what additional services the companies can provide.
To review all qualifications, the city will form a selection committee that will rate the five proposals. City officials have not decided who is on the selection committee yet. It is also unclear when the committee will meet.
The city has an interim service agreement with Waste Management through May 31, 2015. If the city finds its next trash collector before May 31, the city can end the agreement.
Regardless of when and what company the city ultimately selects, residents say they are happy that they potentially could see savings in the future.
"I am very glad that the commission was able to save the residents money while ultimately doing the right thing by bidding the contract," said resident Mitch Katz.
mgottesman@sunsentinel.com, 561-243-6544 or Twitter @marisagottesman
Copyright © 2014, Sun Sentinel