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El Campo council rejects three-year extension for Texas Disposal Systems, seeks alternatives
Summary
Following strong public comment from local businesses and haulers, El Campo's council voted to deny a three-year extension with Texas Disposal Systems and signaled interest in inviting proposals or holding workshops to consider local vendors and service options.
The El Campo City Council voted on May 26 to deny a proposed three-year extension of the city's solid waste collection contract with Texas Disposal Systems, after a public outpouring of comments from local businesses and competing haulers urging the city to consider alternatives.
"If supporting locally owned businesses and keeping money in the El Campo community are values we all agree on, why not give a locally owned business a fair opportunity to compete?" asked Chris Haws, owner of TrustWaa Solutions, one of several local providers that urged the council to open the contract to proposals.
Large commercial customers also spoke. A representative for a major local business said the company generates 150'200 tons per month and described repeated service problems, delayed equipment repairs, and concerns about rate transparency. James Griffin of Texas Disposal Systems (TDS) countered earlier comments about rates, noting that under the city contract TDS charges $30.35 per ton and that franchise fees are remitted to the city.
Councilmembers raised questions about procurement options and timing. Assistant staff explained that solid waste procurements are exempt from a formal RFP requirement under Texas local government code but said staff had gathered proposals to inform council decisions. After discussion, a motion to deny resolution R2026-23 (the three-year extension) was made and seconded; council later voted to deny the extension and directed staff to pursue alternatives, including the possibility of competitive proposals, a workshop to discuss contract terms, or other procurement steps.
What happens next: Staff said the contract runs through the end of the fiscal year (Sept. 30), and council discussed the need to move quickly if it elects to change vendors because mobilization and equipment lead times can be lengthy. Council asked staff to return with next steps, options for procurement or workshops, and recommended contract changes to address service issues and liability.
