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McCracken County considers single trash-franchise model, asks staff for sample RFPs
Summary
Fiscal Court members discussed pursuing a countywide exclusive or nonexclusive trash franchise to reduce duplicate truck traffic, address uneven pricing and illegal dumping. Court directed staff to compile sample requests for proposals and franchise models for future consideration.
Judge Plummer opened a discussion on May 27 about whether McCracken County should move to a countywide trash franchise that would assign residential and business pickups to one provider under a franchise agreement.
Judge Plummer said multiple providers serving the same neighborhoods increase heavy-truck traffic on county roads and create inconsistent service and pricing. "When you look at what other counties do ... they typically have a franchise ordinance that has a series of requirements that go to equipment, personnel, staffing, customer service to the resolution," he said.
Steve Doolittle (speaking during the discussion) said pickup delays and rising costs have prompted constituent complaints. "I've seen some who said they pay over a hundred dollars for three months," he said, adding that a franchise could provide county authority to require standards and help residents recover money when a vendor stops service.
Court members noted potential benefits including reduced illegal dumping, more consistent service and fewer trucks on subdivision streets. They also discussed likely industry responses: some haulers prefer having all county business; others, particularly small multi-county haulers, may not want extended routes.
The court discussed options such as exclusive franchises, nonexclusive franchises with franchise fees or a system of centrally placed dumpsters. Wilcox and other staff members told the court the county currently requires haulers to file annual reports and that there are typically two larger haulers and two to four smaller haulers operating in different parts of McCracken County.
No ordinance or franchise was adopted. The court directed staff to collect sample RFPs and franchise agreements used by other Kentucky counties, circulate those documents to the court and return with recommended language. "We need to collect some sample RFPs that have been pushed out by other Kentucky counties — pass those around," Judge Plummer said.
Why it matters: Changing to a franchise model would shift how many residents secure trash service, could affect household costs, county road wear and code-enforcement workloads, and would require decisions about universal service mandates and any franchise fees.
Sources: McCracken County Fiscal Court discussion, May 27, 2025 meeting.
