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Tega Cay council directs city manager to seek new bids for trash service after split vote
Summary
After weeks of questions about recycling, fuel surcharges and rate comparisons, Tega Cay City Council voted 3–2 on March 31 to direct the city manager to issue a request for proposals for municipal solid waste services rather than automatically extending the existing contract with Signature Waste.
Tega Cay's City Council voted 3–2 on March 31 to direct the city manager to initiate a competitive bidding process for municipal solid waste collection, resolving a months‑long question about whether to extend the current contract with Signature Waste.
The item came to the council after staff reported the city's current agreement with Signature Waste runs through Sept. 30, 2027, and includes an option to automatically renew for two years. City Manager Charlie Funderburk advised council it could either allow that renewal or solicit competitive bids and retain the right to reject any or all proposals.
Funderburk told council that an immediate fuel surcharge of about $0.24 per household per month is expected while diesel prices remain above the contract threshold; he also said one regional provider has notified staff of a proposed 1.5% tipping‑fee increase for the coming fiscal year. Those cost pressures were part of the debate about whether a bid would yield better service or savings.
Council members split on the best path forward. One council member argued for a competitive process to test the market and preserve the option to remain with Signature Waste if bids were not advantageous. Another member cited comparisons showing Tega Cay's household rates are generally on the low end of regional peers and worried the bid process would consume staff time for marginal savings.
Mayor Miller asked first for a motion to extend; that motion failed. Council later approved a motion directing the city manager to develop and issue a request for proposals reflecting the service needs of all neighborhoods, with a second and a roll‑call vote resulting in a 3–2 outcome. The motion was made and seconded from the dais; the transcript does not record a roll‑call tally for individual council votes.
The council discussion also addressed recycling policy. Council member Heather said contamination in prior all‑inclusive recycling collections drove the city to an opt‑in model and that that change reduced contaminated loads and costs; she urged keeping the current recycling model as part of any bid specifications.
The council's direction authorizes staff to prepare the RFP; council retained the option to reject bids and to return to contract extension if bids do not meet the city's needs. The item concluded without immediate changes to service while the procurement proceeds.
