Martin County, Florida, to negotiate $20M garbage bid from WM

Martin County, Florida, began considering bids from three hauling companies Sept. 15, including FCC Environmental Services, The Woodlands, Texas; Waste Pro, Longwood, Florida; and Houston-based Waste Management, which currently has the county's contract.

Instead of accepting Waste Management’s bid—$1.85 per pickup, a 23 percent increase from the current $1.51—Treasure Coast Newspapersreports that county commissioners voted 4-1 to negotiate with Waste Management in an effort to cut a better deal.

Based on price, the county staff had recommended commissioners accept FCC's offer of $15.7 million for waste collection. Waste Management's $20.7 million offer was the most expensive among the three bids, according to the county's selection committee.

When it came to general qualifications, past performance and resources, Waste Management was the first choice.

"It's probably one of those things that we all take for granted," said Commissioner Doug Smith of Waste Management's service. "But if it changes and if we don’t do it right, we have let down our community."

According to Treasure Coast Newspapers, most speakers during public comment were in favor of Waste Management getting the continuing contract, while representatives of all three companies insisted they were the best choice.

"When you think about the [customers]… there’s a significant price increase," said Dan Brazil, FCC's director of collection services, before the Sept. 15 meeting.

Commissioner Stacey Hetherington cast the lone vote against negotiating with Waste Management for a better deal.

"I have the utmost respect for Waste Management," she said. "I just don't agree that that follows the integrity of the [bidding] process."