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Poulsbo weighs hiring procurement consultant as it considers outsourcing solid‑waste service
Summary
Council heard a staff proposal to hire Bin There Consulting for $45,000 to run a one‑year competitive procurement for a potential move from in‑house solid‑waste collection to outsourced service; staff said a contract, equipment timing and a short resident survey are part of the process.
Poulsbo — Facing rising solid‑waste costs, Poulsbo staff asked the City Council on Nov. 12 to support hiring a procurement consultant to design and manage a competitive process for a possible transition from in‑house collection to an external provider.
Diane (public‑works/engineering staff) said the city completed a financial evaluation earlier in the year with scenarios that included no rate increase, a one‑time 25% increase, and an 11.5% annual increase over three years plus CPI. Staff recommended beginning a procurement process to determine whether outsourcing could deliver a more cost‑effective service.
Diane recommended Bin There Consulting, a single‑practitioner firm with municipal experience, as the top choice from two proposals. The proposed contract is for $45,000 and covers RFP development, vendor outreach, a short resident survey to inform priorities (planned for December–January), staff and council presentations, and assistance with selection. Diane said the typical timeline is about a year from kickoff to a signed contract; if a vendor must purchase equipment the procurement could extend due to an 18‑month vehicle lead time.
Councilmembers asked about provider options in Kitsap County and whether multiple bidders would exist; staff noted Bainbridge Disposal and larger regional providers might be interested. Diane said the procurement will surface equipment and transition needs and that, if reserves exist, they could mitigate short‑term rate impacts.
Why it matters: Solid‑waste service is a core utility with rising costs that affect rates for all residents. The consultant‑led RFP is meant to test the market, define transition costs and timing, and inform potential rate actions.
What’s next: Staff expects to bring the consultant contract to a future consent agenda; the RFP and resident survey will follow if the contract is approved.
