CRESTVIEW — The City Council will continue debating the merits of four companies bidding to run the city's garbage collection services.
After Rory Cassedy defended his company, Allied Waste Services’, proposal, the council agreed on Monday to defer any decision until all bidders could present proposals during the council’s Aug. 26 meeting.
Allied ranked third out of four companies scored by a review committee comprising Public Works Director Wayne Steele, City Clerk Betsy Roy and Finance Director Patti Beebe.
The committee scored the bidders in 15 areas under technical, managerial and financial categories. The top-scoring company was Waste Pro, the city's current waste contractor.
The contract period expires Oct. 1. Bidders were vying for a five-year contract to handle Crestview's solid waste and recycling programs.
Cassedy protested the committee's ranking, noting Delaware-based Allied, Gulf Breeze's waste contractor, submitted the lowest residential and commercial services bids of $15.49 and $19.59, respectively.
Florida-based Waste Pro's current monthly charges are $19 for residential customers and $24 for commercial.
Waste Pro's proposed charges are $17.25 and $23, a savings of $21.12 and $12 annually, respectively, if the company is selected again.
Also bidding were Inland Services Corporation, a Texas-based company, and Waste Management, which previously held the city's contract.
Waste Management proposed the highest monthly charges of $24.38 for residential service and $30 for commercial.
"I feel they have priced themselves out of bid consideration," Steele stated in an evaluation letter to the council.
Cheapest isn't always best
Roy noted that though Allied offered the best prices, "this does not mean the lowest bidder is the best choice for the city of Crestview."
The committee had many factors to consider in making its recommendation to the council, Roy said, including customer service.
Councilman Tom Gordon, who often simplifies issues into household terms, concurred, observing that he can buy a hamburger for a dollar, but if he wants a tasty hamburger, he expects to pay more.
The city would also realize more than $10,000 in franchise fees under Waste Pro's proposal than it currently receives, for $150,670 total, Roy said.
The evaluation committee members unanimously praised Waste Pro's performance during the five years it has held the city's garbage contract.
"In the past five years with Waste Pro, I have only received 17 documented complaints from citizens about their trash service," Steele wrote. "Before, we were averaging five per day."
The ultimate decision rests with the council, which in the past has sometimes ignored the recommendation of advisory panels.
Comparing bids
A three-person city committee ranked four bidders for Crestview's solid waste and recycling services contract. Bids are as follows:
Bidder Res. Comm. Fee (annual)
followed by Scores (out of 75)
Allied Waste $15.49 $19.59 $141,588
Allied Waste scores: 55/65/66 = 62 average
Inland Waste $17.68 $23.68 $163,221
Inland Waste scores: 60/64/60 = 61.33 average
Waste Mgmt. $24.38 $30 $208,317
Waste Mgmt. scores: 60/65/63 = 62.66 average
Waste Pro $17.25 $23 $150,670
Waste Pro scores: 72/72/73 = 72.3 average
Want to go?
The Crestview City Council will hear presentations from bidding solid waste removal and recycling companies at its 6 p.m. Aug. 26 meeting.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview council weighs garbage collectors' contract proposals