Council made this decision after concluding more time was needed to examine the submitted proposals and receive answers to questions.
The city of Katy’s existing waste and recycling services contract with Republic Services expires Aug. 31, according to a presentation from the sanitation committee—made up of eight city staff members—at the June 6 meeting.
The residential monthly fee under this contract is $17.87 for garbage pickup once per week, recycling and heavy trash pickup twice per month and super-heavy trash pickup once per quarter, according to the city’s website.
The committee recommended the new contract provide garbage, recycling and heavy trash pickup once per week and super-heavy trash pickup once per quarter. The committee also recommended two finalists out of six submitted proposals: Republic Services and Texas Pride.
Under the recommended services option, Republic Services proposed a $14.50 monthly residential fee, while Texas Pride proposed a $13.10 monthly residential fee.
The committee's goal was to provide proposal options that reduced costs, increased services and provided a less confusing service schedule, per the presentation. Its recommendations were based on public feedback solicited via a survey and an evaluation process that included a scoring system of each submitted proposal based on the application, interviews and references.
Upon questioning from council, a Republic Services representative said the company proposed a lower fee out of a desire to continue working with the city and after performing market research. In November, the city of Katy increased its monthly recycling service rate from $3.57 to $4.44 upon request from Republic Services.
After the committee’s presentation on its recommended options, council members grilled representatives from Republic Services and Texas Pride on their glass recycling, rate adjustments, emergency services, pickup procedures and equipment. Council members were also concerned about applicants’ financial history documentation.
The next scheduled regular City Council meeting is July 27. Council members discussed holding a special meeting before July 27 but did not set a date.
