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Council selects Smith Sanitation to replace LRS for residential waste collection
Summary
The West Branch City Council approved Resolution 2026-77 to accept a quote from Smith Sanitation for residential solid waste and recycling services, with a potential start date of Sept. 1, 2026. Competing bidders raised concerns about RFP errors and contract-notice issues during the discussion.
The West Branch City Council voted unanimously on July 20 to accept a quote from Smith Sanitation for residential solid waste and recycling collection and directed the City Administrator to negotiate a contract expected to begin September 1, 2026. Councilmember Colton Miller moved the action and Councilmember Tom Dean seconded; the motion carried with all present voting aye.
Doug, representing Blue Castle Waste, asked the Council to reconsider and requested more time to address what he said were errors in the RFP (incorrect due date and household counts), which he argued led to inaccurate proposals from respondents. LRS representatives raised the company's perspective on a previously issued 60-day notice to cure. Mayor Roger Laughlin said the City had discussed persistent service and communication issues with LRS over the last two years and deemed the contract in breach, justifying replacement.
The resolution approved by Council is listed as Resolution 2026-77. The Council's action directs the City Administrator to finalize terms and secure the needed number of carts for residents; no final contract text was presented at the meeting.
