‘Sticker shock’ expected when Sarasota County staff gets bids for next solid waste contract (Plantation: neighborhoods)

[wondermint2]

Click for full article:

https://sarasotanewsleader.com/stick...aste-contract/

Almost exactly 11 months ago, in early July 2022, Brian Usher, director of Sarasota County’s Solid Waste Department, told the county commissioners that staff would have to have a new contract in place by the start of the 2025 fiscal year for the collections of garbage, yard waste and recyclables.

That fiscal year will begin on Oct. 1, 2024.

During his presentation of his proposed budget for the 2024 fiscal year, on June 22, Usher provided an update on that process, explaining that staff is working on finalizing the solicitation for the new contract and hopes to advertise it soon.

His goal, Usher pointed out, is to have the commissioners approve that contract before the end of this calendar year.

His staff is collaborating with the county’s Procurement Department staff, he noted, to try to come up with the best ways to make the solicitation competitive, to try to keep the bids as low as possible. As he reported earlier to the commissioners, one option is splitting the county into two sections, to increase the number of bids.

Nonetheless, as Chair Ron Cutsinger pointed out — also on the basis of the past discussions with Usher — “We’re going to be looking at some potentially pretty significant increases.” That is all the more reason, Cutsinger emphasized, that the public needs to be aware of the process. “We’re going to probably have a little sticker shock on how that [contract] comes back.”

“That’s absolutely accurate,” Usher replied. The Manatee County Commission recently extended its current contract for two years, and the cost was double the previous rate, Usher said.

“We expect similar impacts internally to our services,” Usher added.

Already, he continued, he and his staff are working on an educational campaign for county solid waste customers.

Then County Administrator Jonathan Lewis noted that when the Charlotte County staff solicited bids for a new solid waste contract about four years ago, the resulting expense was approximately three times higher — “something in that neighborhood.”

“That’s correct,” Usher said. “We’re seeing that throughout the state … double to triple the rate.”

[wondermint2]

North Port trash collection changes

https://abc-7.com/news/local/2023/07...n-changes/amp/

Starting October 1, 2023, Solid Waste will make route changes to accommodate the city’s growth. These changes will be implemented over the next three months. Some of the changes include:

The Wellen Park collection, previously held on Mondays, will now be spread throughout the week. All neighborhoods in Wellen Park will still receive one collection per week, but some may have a different collection day.

Starting next week, residents living in Lakeside Plantation and other neighborhoods east of Toledo Blade Blvd will have their garbage collection day moved from Wednesday to Tuesday. Additionally, certain North Port Estates neighborhoods will now have their garbage collected on Thursdays instead of Tuesdays.

For an interactive map of how your collection day will be affected, click here:

https://www.northportfl.gov/governme...ks/solid-waste

[wondermint2]

Sarasota's solid waste fees are going up

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...fees-going-up/

Starting next fiscal year, residential and commercial customers in Sarasota will be paying more for solid waste collection.

During the Aug. 21 meeting of the Sarasota City Commission, Erik Arroyo resurfaced a previously discussed idea of consolidating city and county solid waste operations before hearing from staff that keeping the service in-house was the least expensive option.

By a 4-1 vote with Arroyo opposed, commissioners approved Public Works Director Doug Jeffcoat's proposed increase of the city’s solid waste fees.

For residents, the hike is $4.42 per month, up from $24.55 to $28.97. For the varying levels of service for commercial customers, the increase is 18% across the board.

[wondermint2]

Manatee County garbage bills increase by 65%

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...ills-increase/

With a 65% rate increase that goes into effect Oct. 1, Manatee County residents will continue to have twice-weekly garbage pickup for another two years.

Manatee County officials said, however, once a week trash pickup is likely to be part of the next longterm contract with garbage handlers.

According to a presentation made by Manatee County staff members to county commissioners earlier this month, once a week pickup will likely be needed to streamline services and to keep rates affordable.

“The once a week (pickup) allows us to have a lower price for customers,” Utilities Director Evan Pilachowski said. “More importantly, it allows us to align services so that garbage pickup, recycling and yard waste can all happen on the same day.”

Currently, various service trucks are on the streets four days a week. Pilachowski said aligning collection services will limit truck traffic through neighborhoods, which is better for both the environment and the wear and tear on the roads.

On Aug. 22, commissioners extended a contract that has been in place since 2008, for two more years.

While the extension doesn’t affect the services, monthly bills will rise from $14.33 to $23.65 as of Oct. 1. The cost for residential curbside collection is going up to $13.32 a month from $8.07 a month. Recycling collection is going up to $5.13 from $3.11, and yard trash collection is going up to $5.20 from $3.15 per month.