Commission directs staff to begin contract talks with Waste Pro after mixed public comments on service

The High Springs Commission on a motion approved unanimously on a direction to staff to begin contract negotiations with Waste Pro for solid-waste collection service.

The motion to begin negotiations was made during public comment and business discussion and was followed by a unanimous voice vote. The commission’s action directs staff to negotiate pursuant to Waste Pro’s current contract and to return any proposed renewal to the commission for consideration.

The item drew mixed comments from residents. George Tatum said pickup crews sometimes skip routes during holiday weeks and that crews have told him they “didn’t have enough people,” adding, “That’s not what we’re paying for.” Lanier Smith said she has generally been “extremely pleased with the service” and asked that free dumpster drop-offs and donations the current contractor has provided at community events be included in any negotiations. Kathy Griner asked the commission to consider exemptions for residents who cannot move cans to the road; she said, “I have not ever used the garbage collection that we have now because I can’t get it to the road.”

A city official (not named in the record) confirmed the city will place proposed contract renewals or competing contracts on a future agenda for consideration at the same time, so the commission can compare options before final action.

Commissioners and staff also heard praise for the current company that served before the present contractor: Sue Weller said Wise Crow “provided a wonderful service” and that complaints fell after that company left. Commissioners acknowledged that Waste Pro had provided in-kind support to community events in the past and said that service and community support are factors they will consider in negotiations.

The motion recorded in the transcript directs staff to begin negotiations with Waste Pro and to return any proposed renewal to the commission. The vote was announced in the meeting as “passes unanimously.” The transcript does not list individual roll-call votes or a numeric tally.

The commission did not adopt a final renewal or new contract at the meeting; staff will return with negotiation results and any proposed contract language for future consideration.