How much will new trash contract cost Jackson? Mayor releases deal with Richard's Disposal

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba has released the recommended bid for garbage collection in the City of Jackson, including how much the company is charging and a summary of the contract.

Last week, Lumumba announced Richard's Disposal Inc., had been selected for a long-term contract. The same garbage collection company that was rejected for a long-term contract by the Jackson City Council last year, sparking a 17-day trash crisis.

On Wednesday, the mayor sent a press release that gives details into who the two bidders were that responded to the garbage collection request for proposals and details on why Richard's Disposal Inc., was the company that was chosen. The mayor did not release details on the other bid.

The current one-year emergency contract with Richard's Disposal expires on March 31. The city council must vote on the company before then to avoid another trash crisis. If they reject the company, Jacksonians could see trash piling up on the street for the second year in a row.

When asked for a comment on the mayor's decision to release details on the contract, Ward 6 Councilman and Council President Aaron Banks shared he will be hosting a town hall Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Glory Empowerment Center on Maddox Road to answer questions.

Ward 4 Councilman Brian Grizzell praised the mayor for his decision to release the contract.

"I commend Mayor Lumumba for his decision to release the Garbage RFP information to the public. This level of transparency is commendable and aligns with the accountability that all elected officials should uphold. It is crucial to provide clarity on decisions that directly impact taxpayers," Grizzell said.

"This action not only addresses constituents' concerns but also facilitates informed participation in civic matters. With this information at hand, I am ready to move forward and tackle other pressing issues ahead," he said.

Ward 1 Councilman Ashby Foote wasn't as impressed.

“Now comes the challenging part for the administration- getting four votes from the other governing authority, the City Council," Foote said, adding he wants to hear feedback from his constituents.

He also said he presumes council members will want to add amendments to the contract.

Trash contract details

The contract states that Richard’s will charge taxpayers $891,000 a month for garbage collection. With the long-term contract being for six years, that's a little more than $64 million in total.

The mayor did not detail what that cost will mean for residents.

"In the interest of full transparency, we are releasing to the media the recommended bid for the city’s latest garbage collection RFP process. We understand this is unusual outside of the public records process, but we feel it is necessary due to the widespread interest and importance of this contract to our residents. This follows the release of this information earlier today to all council members," a press release from the mayor's office states.

Besides Richard's Disposal, the only other company that responded to the city's garbage collection RFP was a company called National Collection Systems, LLC.

When asked if Lumumba plans on releasing that company's bid, City Spokesperson Melissa Payne said "it's not a public document until we have an executed contract" and a public records request will have to be made.

It's not clear whether the Richard's bid has been signed since the Council has yet to vote on it.

Here is the summary of the contract the city provided in the press release:

1. The contract is for a term of six years, with four options of one-year each which can be exercised by the city.

1. Compensation under the contract is $891,000 per month, which includes the cost of purchasing and delivery of up to 45,000 carts to residents.

1. Each year, the parties will meet to evaluate a monthly increase in compensation, which will be based on the annual Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers in the South region. The increase shall not exceed 5%.

1. Customers can use the 96-gallon cart provided by Richard’s, or any other approved container. Approved containers shall be 35 gallons or less, nonabsorbent, leakproof, and made of material such as molded plastic or metal.

1. Richard’s will replace one lost, stolen, or damaged cart at no cost to the city or customer. Richard’s will also repair damaged carts.

1. Richard’s will collect residential solid waste, yard waste, and bulk waste.

1. Regular service will be provided twice-weekly, Monday through Saturday.

1. Richard’s will additionally pick up bulk waste once weekly.

1. Richard’s will also pick up yard waste on the second regularly scheduled collection day each week. Yard waste must either be in an approved container or yard bags. Yard bags are limited to 10 in number and 60 pounds in weight. Tree limbs will be collected up to four inches in diameter and up to four feet in length, so long as they are bundled.

1. Richard’s will also assist with community cleanup and illegal dumping removal through quarterly pickups, providing collection bags and collecting bulk items along City roads, plus a Fall Cleanup Event, a Christmas Tree Recycling Campaign, and Spring Cleanup, and a Monthly Dumpster Day event.

1. Richard’s will additionally provide equipment and manpower to assist City employees and volunteers with cleaning up litter and dumping sites throughout the City. Section 5.6

1. Richard’s will be required to maintain a local office, which will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with office staff available during those hours.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS trash pickup details contract released