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Sahuarita moves toward exclusive residential solid‑waste system; RFP to be released
Summary
Council authorized a resolution announcing intent to pursue an exclusive residential solid-waste and recycling collection program and approved sending a request for proposals that would allow the town to evaluate a single-contractor model, with a potential service start no earlier than July 1, 2025.
The Town of Sahuarita voted to authorize a resolution that notifies the market of the town’s intent to consider an exclusive residential waste and recycling collection system and to release an RFP seeking proposals for a single residential contractor.
Public Works Director Nalo introduced Burns & McDonnell consultant Seth Dittman, who outlined the RFP’s key features: service to residential properties of four units or fewer; weekly trash and recycling collection in 96‑gallon carts; options for bulk collection (fixed schedule or appointment-based at various annual frequencies); cart purchase and maintenance options (town vs contractor); a suggested contract term of seven years with up to three optional renewals; and an inflation-indexed price adjustment (up to 5% tied to a garbage and trash collection index).
Dittman said the earliest service commencement would be July 1, 2025, but the town could select a later start date depending on proposals and vehicle procurement lead times. He emphasized the RFP is a market test: Council can award a contract, revise and reissue the RFP, or maintain the current open‑market system based on responses.
Council members discussed making bulk collection optional or an add‑alternate (staff agreed to price both bundled and unbundled options), the desirability of a live customer‑service phone option, separate pricing for billing vs customer service, container-size options for households with space constraints and HOA rules, and how customer complaints would be logged and remedied. After discussion, Council adopted Resolution 2024‑0800 indicating the town’s intent and authorizing staff to proceed with the RFP process; the motion carried.
Next steps: staff will finalize RFP documents, post them on the bidding portal (estimated release within one to two weeks after council approval), allow approximately four weeks for proposals with an August 6 proposal deadline, and allocate about two months for evaluation and negotiations. Staff noted vehicle procurement lead times as a reason to keep a mid‑2025 start window if feasible.
