The Lockhart City Council denied a requested five‑year extension from Republic Services and directed staff to release a competitive request for proposals (RFP) for residential and commercial solid waste and recycling services.

Republic Services’ municipal manager for Lockhart, Alfonso Cifuentes, addressed council before the vote and described Republic’s local presence, community donations (he said the company donates about $30,000 annually in cash and $41,000 in in‑kind services, and cited roughly $20,000 in in‑kind services for the recent Texas Monthly Barbecue Festival), and an offer to negotiate an extension rather than go to an RFP. He also noted Republic’s arrangements permitting Caldwell County residents to use a nearby permitted landfill and the company’s free disposal programs aimed at curbing illegal dumping.

Staff and consultant Burns & McDonnell presented the proposed RFP scope. Highlights included: 6,238 residential accounts; 565 non‑residential (dumpster) accounts; roughly 1,300 voluntary recycling accounts; pricing options for 96/64/32‑gallon carts and weekly collection; including plastics 1–7 and pricing for glass; discontinuing the seven‑bag curbside bulky setout in favor of structured bulky/brush collection (up to 4 cubic yards per collection) and appointment options; pricing for commercial recycling and special events; and vendor requirements for vehicle tracking, customer service resolution, liquidated damages, and a transition plan. Draft RFP length was listed as 158 pages and included a draft contract.

Council debated certain terms: the 1 p.m. same‑day missed‑collection notification window (consultant Brent Prairie explained industry logistics and potential cost implications of stricter same‑day returns), and staff’s inclusion of a $27,000 annual contribution line in the RFP (some council members worried naming a specific dollar amount could act as a floor and limit competitive offers; staff said it reflects the current contract floor but agreed to verify phrasing). There was also discussion about glass recycling markets and the need for audit/tracking language if glass is included.

After discussion, council voted to deny Republic Services’ notice to extend the city contract for an additional five years and then voted to authorize release of the RFP with the amendments discussed. Both actions passed 7–0 (the denial motion was seconded by Councilman Castillo; the RFP release motion was seconded by Councilman Larson). Staff set an intended RFP schedule: release next business day, proposals due Dec. 19, interviews and negotiations in January, and a target service start date of June 1, 2026, if a new contract is selected.