Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City approves issuance of RFP for residential garbage and recycling after contract amendment ends in 2025
Summary
Following a December contract amendment with current hauler GFL that set termination at end of 2025, the council authorized an RFP for automated garbage and recycling collection; proposals due June 27 and staff warned higher costs may require shifting payment from levy to utility bills or property tax charges.
The Fort Atkinson City Council on June 3 authorized the city manager to publish a request for proposals for residential garbage and recycling collection services following the negotiated amendment with the current contractor that terminates the existing agreement at the end of 2025.
City Manager Hausman explained the amendment with GFL included a small 2025 price increase and a termination date of Dec. 31, 2025, which prompted the city to issue an RFP seeking proposals for fully automated curbside weekly garbage collection, automated every‑other‑week single‑stream recycling, and per‑call curbside bulk‑item pickup billed directly to residents. The RFP includes two alternates: weekly recycling service and a monthly, no‑charge bulk‑item pickup option.
Proposals are due to city staff by June 27. Hausman said the city expects multiple proposals but warned that bidder prices are likely to be “significantly higher” than the current contract because prior contract language limited annual increases to a fraction of CPI; he noted GFL previously sought a 9% increase. City staff said state levy limits restrict the council’s ability to increase property taxes to cover higher collection costs. If contract prices are higher than current budgeted funds, the council will consider options such as moving collection costs from the property tax levy to a utility bill (bimonthly utility charge) or to the annual property tax bill as a separate charge.
Councilmember Huckabee moved to publish the RFP; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
