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Tega Cay council directs city manager to seek bids for municipal trash service; motion carries 3–2
Summary
At a March 31 special meeting, Tega Cay City Council voted 3–2 to direct the city manager to issue a request for proposals for municipal solid waste services, preserving the option to reject all bids while staff prepares an RFP to reflect neighborhood service needs.
Tega Cay City Council on March 31 voted to direct the city manager to initiate a competitive bidding process for municipal solid waste services, including a request for proposals intended to reflect the service needs of all neighborhoods.
City Manager Charlie told council that the current contract with Signature Waste is set to expire Sept. 30, 2027, and that the contract includes an automatic two‑year renewal. He said staff provided rate comparisons showing Tega Cay’s fees “are well within the range if not on the lower end” compared with similar jurisdictions. Charlie also warned the council that Signature Waste has notified the city of a fuel surcharge that would add roughly $0.24 per household per month and that the company is seeking a 1.5% tipping‑fee‑based increase for the coming fiscal year.
Advocates of a bid process said soliciting proposals would validate rates and give the public visibility into options; opponents argued the likely savings might not justify staff time and disruption. Council Member Heather, who defended the city’s current opt‑in recycling approach, said the change to recycling service reflected industry market limits and contamination concerns and argued any future RFP should preserve the current recycling model where practicable.
After discussion, council made and seconded a motion directing the city manager to initiate a competitive bidding process, including development and issuance of a request for proposals reflecting service needs across neighborhoods. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote, 3–2. The motion and vote record were taken without roll‑call names recorded in the meeting transcript; staff noted the city retains the right to reject any or all bids once they are received.
Next steps: staff told council the draft RFP already exists in preliminary form and could be circulated to council for review and published within one to two weeks for comment. If bids return that are not preferable, council retains the option to extend the current contract under its existing renewal provisions.
