Council delays decision on 10-year recycling and organics contract after sharp questions on costs and service

Clovis City Council on Monday delayed final action on a proposed 10-year recycling and organics collection, processing and marketing contract after extensive staff presentations, questions from council members and public testimony from incumbent and competing haulers.

Staff recommended awarding the contract to Mid Valley Disposal after an RFP that drew three proposals—Mid Valley Disposal, Caglia Environmental and incumbent Republic Services—and an evaluation that scored firms on qualifications, technical approach, financial stability and cost. Assistant Public Utilities Director Glenn Estes told the council the current contract with Republic Services expires July 31, 2025, and that the RFP process included consultant input from HF&H, interviews and reference checks.

The recommendation matters because the contract would cover residential and commercial recycling and organics collection for the city enterprise fund and set customer rates that affect households and local businesses. The winning bidder’s prices and service approach determine the city’s compliance with state organics law (SB 1383), customer bills and the logistics of switching haulers if the council approves a change.

Staff and the evaluation team said Mid Valley submitted the lowest-cost proposal among the three and would not require…