Several waste haulers in Springfield, Missouri, addressed city council Nov. 21 to voice their opposition to a proposed franchise contract, a report by the Springfield News-Leader says.
The proposal divides the city into 12 hauling districts, one for each contracted company, the report says. The idea came about after a study by Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City, Missouri, was conducted to make Springfield’s hauling system more efficient, affordable and consistent.
The study found that surrounding communities have lower hauling prices and receive a larger variety of services, the report says.
Erin Kemper, assistant director of Environmental Services, says in the report that the city is upholding a goal to have a new plan in place by spring 2019. This is when contracts with Springfield’s two largest haulers, Republic Services, Phoenix, and WCA Waste Corp., Houston, expire.
Currently, WCA Waste and Republic are required to transport a specific amount of waste to a city-owned landfill and pay a tipping fee to the city for every ton of waste. The report says tipping fees make up much of funding for Springfield’s recycling, yard waste and household hazardous collection centers. The city wants other revenue streams, such as franchise fees, to fund these services.
Five hauling representatives said during the meeting that the proposal takes away relationships built with their customers and companies should have their freedom to choose, the report says.
Other options the council proposed include splitting the city into four quadrants and setting up a competitive bid process, the report says, and establishing stricter standards for trash collecting and contracting with outside companies for extra services, such as bulk collection.
Kemper says in the report that if the new plan is not implemented, the city will likely renegotiate contracts with the largest haulers to keep up revenue streams. If the contracts are not renewable, the city could be forced to scale back or close collection centers.
No more results found. The proposal divides the city into 12 hauling districts, one for each contracted company, the report says. The idea came about after a study by Burns & McDonnell, Kansas City, Missouri, was conducted to make Springfield’s hauling system more efficient, affordable and consistent.
The study found that surrounding communities have lower hauling prices and receive a larger variety of services, the report says.
Erin Kemper, assistant director of Environmental Services, says in the report that the city is upholding a goal to have a new plan in place by spring 2019. This is when contracts with Springfield’s two largest haulers, Republic Services, Phoenix, and WCA Waste Corp., Houston, expire.
Currently, WCA Waste and Republic are required to transport a specific amount of waste to a city-owned landfill and pay a tipping fee to the city for every ton of waste. The report says tipping fees make up much of funding for Springfield’s recycling, yard waste and household hazardous collection centers. The city wants other revenue streams, such as franchise fees, to fund these services.
Five hauling representatives said during the meeting that the proposal takes away relationships built with their customers and companies should have their freedom to choose, the report says.
Other options the council proposed include splitting the city into four quadrants and setting up a competitive bid process, the report says, and establishing stricter standards for trash collecting and contracting with outside companies for extra services, such as bulk collection.
Kemper says in the report that if the new plan is not implemented, the city will likely renegotiate contracts with the largest haulers to keep up revenue streams. If the contracts are not renewable, the city could be forced to scale back or close collection centers.