Mid Valley Disposal will provide recycling services in Clovis after months of a back-and-forth discussion from the city council.
Mid Valley Disposal was chosen over bids from Caglia Environmental and from Republic Services, which currently provides the city’s recycling services.
The big picture: The Clovis City Council awarded the 10-year, $5.5 million contract on Monday to Mid Valley Disposal on a 3-2 vote.
- Councilmembers Lynne Ashbeck and Matt Basgall voted against giving the contract to Mid Valley Disposal.
The backstory: Clovis was ready to award the contract to Mid Valley Disposal in February before the council changed its mind and opted to split the contracts to separate residential and commercial services.
- But a couple weeks ago the city council moved to reconsider the Mid Valley Disposal contract instead of giving Republic Services a three-year contract for $1.2 million.
Driving the news: Mid Valley Disposal’s contract is a 20% increase to the current cost for recycling services, but it does not require a Proposition 218 hearing that could allow Clovis residents to block the increase.
- Caglia Environmental proposed a $6.66 million contract, which would have been a 45% increase, while Republic Services wanted an $8.24 million contract, an increase of 79%. Both of those deals would have required a Proposition 218 hearing.
What they’re saying: Ashbeck took issue with the council not discussing the possibility for a short-term extension with Republic Services, saying she was going to suggest a one-year extension.
- “It’s such muddy water here,” Ashbeck said. “I don’t feel like it’s a responsible thing to issue any contract tonight. But that would’ve been my proposal last week, except we went from conversation to a motion. It kind of cut off the conversation, and so be it. I just think we didn’t give that idea a fair shake, so that concerns me.”
- She also said she is not confident that the cheapest product is the best product.
- “I think a 10-year contract in 2025 is insanity,” Ashbeck said. “I wouldn’t issue a 10-year contract hardly for anything.”
- Mid Valley Disposal provided the following statement to The Sun after the meeting: “Mid Valley Disposal is proud and excited to receive a 10 year contract with the City of Clovis. We look forward to uphold and support the Clovis Way of Life. Like Clovis, Mid Valley Disposal is rooted in pride, service and community. We look forward to working hand in hand with city leaders and residents to enhance the quality of life that makes Clovis so special.”
