Council debates whether to explore exit from Wasatch Front Waste; staff recommends RFP 'menu' to compare service options

Herriman City Council — Staff asked the council whether they wanted to pursue an RFP or explore an exit from the Wasatch Front Waste and Recycling consortium and outlined the factors that would shape a competitive procurement.

Speaker 10 framed the question: should the city explore exiting the consortium or should staff craft an RFP to evaluate vendor alternatives? Staff identified four key RFP design questions: the mix of services (full suite vs stripped-down basic trash/recycling/green pickup), the operational model (who bills — provider or the city), which customer groups to serve (residential, HOAs, commercial), and landfill membership/tipping fees (Transjordan landfill membership and related tipping fees can materially affect provider pricing).

Several council members favored an RFP that lists selectable options (a menu) so the city can compare apples-to-apples costs for different service mixes; Speaker 3 suggested the RFP allow the council to pick and choose services. Staff recommended requiring prospective providers to own/provide cans, indicate tipping fees and landfill arrangements, and explain billing responsibilities. Speaker 1 noted that in other jurisdictions tipping fees are often billed through the city and passed on to users, which should be reflected in cost comparisons.

Council also discussed the practical barrier that some large municipal consortiums may restrict immediate exit; staff said the RFP should ask providers to identify their landfill membership and tipping fees and include alternatives used by other municipalities. The council gave direction to craft an RFP that provides clear cost comparisons and a menu of service options; staff will return with draft RFP language and cost assumptions.