Florida County will not bid out $140 million solid waste contract.

At a recent Manatee County Commission meeting, board members listened to other solid waste haulers, and citizens, communicate the reasons why the county should open its 7-year, $140 million trash hauling contract for bids. It was if it's not broke, why fix it reasoning that prevailed over the possibility of saving some dollars and keeping public business in the sunshine.

In a matter of six weeks, Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzeker requested renewing the current solid waste contracts with Waste Management and Waste Pro. There are still two years left before the current contract expires, but Hunzeker says, "It can take a year or more to prepare for a change in haulers."

Hunzeker says the preparation for another company is a bigger job than it might appear. He says the county has a fair market price with the two haulers; so he, and now the commission, have agreed to take advantage of the re-up clause in the current contract the county made with both haulers five years ago.

A number of citizens disagree with Hunzeker. Many of them think the county should advertise a RFP (Request for Proposal) and let the market make the deal. They argue technology, smarter design and cheaper operational cost might have trickled down to save the taxpayer some money.

Citizen Ed Goff commented, "I am here today to request that you place the contract for solid waste pickup in Manatee County up for bid. I have discussed this issue with many residents of Manatee County and all have agreed that a $140 million contract should definitely be put up for bid and that the fact that you are happy with the present service should not be a reason for not seeking a better service at a lower cost and you will never know unless you try."

Goff wasn't alone. Terry Cline said, "I just don't understand why (no RFP)." Cline suggested the county do so and get a once-a-week bid as well as for the current twice-a-week pick-up service.

A half dozen citizens suggested it was a "Sunshine Law" issue, that the commission could use a little confidence building in the eyes of the public, and said many do believe the BOCC can't be trusted.

Waste Corporation of America representative Ben Prescott said he would be so bold as to hand them an offer and proceeded by giving the commission copies of a proposal.

More than a dozen speakers spoke against the no bid process, and almost the same number spoke for the renewal; but they were mostly made up of WM and Waste PRO executives and employees.

But commissioners didn't yield to the request. They passed Resolutions 14-148 and 14-149 with a unanimous approval for the contracts.

Source: John Rehill, The Bradenton Times