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Ocoee to seek bids for trash franchise after vendor declines extension
Summary
Waste Connections told the city it will not exercise an extension; staff asked whether to renegotiate or solicit proposals. Commissioners directed staff to issue an RFQ/RFP and to evaluate bids with and without curbside recycling while seeking stronger performance and enforcement provisions.
City public-works staff told the commission that Waste Connections has notified Ocoee it will not exercise the contract's extension option, leaving the city to decide whether to negotiate concessions or solicit competing bids.
Public Works Director Steve Krug said the vendor cited market-rate pressures and asked for an approximate 8% increase on front-load commercial service; Krug then reviewed how Ocoee's current household fee compares with nearby jurisdictions and how dropping curbside recycling would affect rates.
"Waste Connections has notified us per the contract before July 1st of this year that they do not wish to extend the three-year continuation," Krug said. Staff presented residential market comparisons (examples included Apopka, Winter Garden and Orlando) and showed a $344 per-household non-ad valorem fee currently covering administrative and contract costs.
Commissioners raised repeated service-quality concerns, including missed pickups, inconsistent handling of recycling contamination and the practical cost of supervising a third-party hauler. Several commissioners urged seeking stronger performance guarantees, liquidated damages and higher commercial rates (where market room exists) rather than increasing the residential burden.
By show of consensus the commission directed staff to put the franchise out to bid and to structure the solicitation to allow proposals both with and without curbside recycling. Staff said the RFQ/RFP will be written to request firm performance metrics and allow the commission to compare options.
Next steps: staff will prepare an RFQ/RFP and return with recommended contract terms and an analysis of bids; the commission signaled an intent to preserve two weekly collections, keep recycling under consideration and seek concessions from any incumbent that bids to continue service.
