Summary
The Solid Waste Authority directed staff to study alternative service-area maps to reduce sharp collection-rate disparities, approved raising the noncompliant-yard-waste charge to $10 per cubic yard, rejected a proposed subscription service and asked for more data on a vegetation-amnesty program.
The Solid Waste Authority board moved forward on multiple policy decisions related to the upcoming franchise collection bid and asked staff to further study service-area boundaries to reduce disparities among districts.
Staff said the authority plans to put franchise RFPs on the street after finalizing several decisions and asked the board for direction on multiple items. Commissioners repeatedly expressed concern that current map boundaries produce notable rate disparities — staff showed a range of collection fees (for illustration: as low as about $2.08 and as high as $3.77 per month equivalent in the schedule shown) — and asked that staff develop alternate maps that would spread high-cost western areas across eastern districts.
The board gave staff direction to analyze alternative maps, including options to combine higher-cost western areas with lower-cost eastern districts, and to return with recommendations. Staff said changing maps could require delaying final issuance of the RFP to October or holding a special meeting in September if necessary; the board agreed staff should study options and check the procurement schedule before deciding on a special meeting.
On operational and pricing items, the board provided these decisions and directions: - Noncompliant-yard-waste charge: staff proposed raising the estimate charged for vegetation piles that exceed the standard service limit from $8 to $10 per cubic yard to avoid shifting the cost to all customers; the board directed staff to set the rate at $10. Chair staff noted the $8 figure had not been adjusted since 2019 and inflation supported an increase. - Subscription service: staff described an optional subscription (resident pays a hauler for a larger weekly allowance) but flagged administrative complexity and a likely small take rate; the Citizens Advisory Committee opposed it and the board declined to adopt a subscription program. - Vegetation amnesty (one-time larger pile per year): staff presented a staggered, once-a-year amnesty option (for example, a 15-yard allowance during a specified week) but warned of operational burdens and potential hauler cost impacts. Commissioners asked staff to collect data (including experience from West Palm Beach), estimate administrative and hauler costs (staff estimated internal administrative costs likely below $50,000 annually and offered to verify), and return with a recommendation. - Service-level bidding options: the board confirmed staff should solicit bids that include both a 6-cubic-yard standard service and an optional 12-cubic-yard service so the board can compare both approaches. - Small-business participation: staff proposed a 20% SBE participation goal for non-set-aside areas and a set-aside model for one area requiring the prime SBE to perform at least 51% with a 20% minimum SBE subcontractor participation; the board agreed with the approach and staff will use SBA size standards in the RFP (current SBA small-business size threshold cited as $47,000,000 average annual receipts for relevant NAICS codes). - Local presence requirement: staff reminded the board it had previously required SBE bidders to establish and maintain a customer service office in Palm Beach County at least 30 days before contract commencement; that requirement remains in the proposed procurement.
Staff will return with map alternatives and the additional financial estimates requested by commissioners. The board emphasized that drawing contiguous districts is operationally preferred but that policy choices about how to blend lower-cost and higher-cost areas are theirs to make.
