Leon County Commission Approves New Rates for Waste Collection Services

Leon County Commission Approves New Rates for Waste Collection Services

The Leon County Commission voted 7-0 to award the exclusive franchise to provide waste collection services in unincorporated Leon County to Waste Pro of Florida, Inc., and to authorize the county administrator to execute the franchise agreement, subject to legal review by the County Attorney.

The option adopted provides a residential rate of $23.17 and a franchise fee of 3%. 

The County’s current contract for waste services expires on September 30 2023. In January 2023, three responsive bids were received, with Waste Pro being the lowest bidder. For over a decade, Waste Pro has been under contract with Leon County for waste collection services.

Under the new contract, residential and commercial rates will increase. However, according to staff, the $23.17 residential rate bid by Waste Pro remains slightly below average when compared to rates charged around the state. Approximately 400 commercial customers will see an increase between 58%-116%, depending on the size of their waste container.

Leon County rates have been disproportionally low with customers paying $15.03 — 75% less than other representative counties in Florida.

Leon County currently receives a 5% franchise fee from the solid waste contractor. Based on the accepted bid and a 3% franchise fee, the County will receive an extra $185,000 annually and will use those funds to mitigate rate increases to commercial customers.

As directed by the Board, the county administrator negotiated with Waste Pro concerning its proposed rates. The negotiations were predicated upon the existing scope of service. As the result, four options were presented to the Board for consideration.

The staff indicates that they will work to ensure a smooth transition under the new franchise agreement which requires Waste Pro to transition with minimal impact to customers. Although Waste Pro is the current provider, it is required to submit a detailed transition plan which commences on October 1, 2023.

9 Responses to "Leon County Commission Approves New Rates for Waste Collection Services"

  1. As a government purchasing agent/supervisor for over 30 years, here’s the real problem with services contracts. It does not matter if a new contractor or incumbent is selected for a new contract, that contractor will hire or keep the same employees. It only makes sense to keep experienced workers. The problem is twofold: 1. Proper supervision of the employees by the contractor, and 2. Proper contract compliance by the assigned government contractor manager. Bottom line, keep calling waste pro if you are not getting satisfaction, but only if Waste Pro is not in compliance with their terms of the contract.

  2. @David — except for a few years when my neighborhood was annexed into the city I’ve lived outside the city limits. I have to admit that I was happy when Waste Pro replaced Waste Management, as the running joke in my neighborhood was that Waste Management had missed their delivery that week. The service was so bad that just driving down the street and seeing all of the scattered garbage on the curb and front lawns told you it was garbage pickup day. Waste Pro was a lot better until COVID came around. Their issues appear to be mostly staffing today. You can make more money for about the same labor doing other things.

  3. “Leon County rates have been disproportionally low with customers paying $15.03 — 75% less than other representative counties in Florida.” How does what other representative counties matter to what our county pays? We should care what we pay not what others pay. I’m sure every county has unique needs and abilities to handle solid waste. So, now we will pay more just becuase others pay more? Maybe we do a better job of recycling, limiting bulk pickups, reducing waste. Residential customers should never be subsidizing commerical customers.

  4. @ A Skeptic = Every 5 out of 6 WEEKS, I get a Recording at about 7:00pm from WastePro telling me that a section in my area did not get picked up today but will tomorrow. Last couple Weeks it was My Section. This is 5 out of 6 Weeks.

  5. SCAM!!! FRAUD!!!! KICKBACKS!!!!!

    Hoping a reputable company would have come in and set things right and taken on the rank and file to protect them and also reward them for their hard work. The graft continues…

  6. @David — that was my first reaction, too. The county is picking winners and losers by having residential customers overpay to mitigate the cost to businesses.

    I also have to wonder about a 54% rate increase when Waste Pro has trouble meeting their current obligations. It seems like every month a neighborhood doesn’t get picked up on schedule. Was that addressed or has it become the new normal?

  7. So, Leon the County will receive an extra $185,000 annually and THEN will use those funds to mitigate the rate increases to commercial customers? Hmmm, OKAAAY.

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