Sedgwick County approves 4% increase for trash contract, bringing total to 16%

The Sedgwick County Board voted to accept a contract modification for Waste Connections of Kansas Incorporated that adds a 4% rate increase, bringing the cumulative contract increase to 16%. The motion to approve the change order passed unanimously after roll call.

Bridal Rosencutter, speaking on behalf of county departments, told the board that "Waste Connections of Kansas, Incorporated is enacting a rate increase due to significant increase in diesel fuel, labor costs, and other operating costs." Staff said the third increase is supported by those operating-cost explanations and that earlier increases were similarly reviewed.

Board members asked when the contract ends and whether the county would re-advertise the service; staff said the contract expires on 2025-09-30 and that the county expects to go out to bid early next summer. Commissioners and staff described the county's typical approach as one-year firm pricing with renewal options rather than multi-year locked pricing, allowing the county to review and approve reasonable cost increases at each renewal.

The chair moved to accept the contract modification; a board member seconded. During the roll call, the tally was read as: Tim Myers, Aye; Brandy Bailey, Aye; Russell Leeds, Aye. The motion carried.

Staff did not provide a dollar figure in the record; the change was recorded as a 4% increase in this third change order, following prior adjustments of 7% and 5% earlier in the contract's life. The board did not set a cap on future increases during the meeting and directed staff to proceed with procurement actions as appropriate ahead of the contract's end date.