Should Darien Seek Bids For Garbage Service?

DARIEN, IL — A top city official made the case for negotiating with the city's current waste hauler for a new contract, rather than going out to bid.

"A contract extension makes the continuity for residents much easier," City Administrator Bryon Vana said in a recent memo to the City Council. "Additionally, since garbage prices are public information, staff can determine if the proposed rates are competitive in the marketplace."

He said the council has the option of going either way. Houston-based Waste Management's contract expires March 31.

At Monday's City Council meeting, Vana said the company's service has been good, with minimal problems and complaints.

Treasurer Michael Coren agreed on the company's performance, but said it was important to get bids.

"I think it would be a disservice to residents if you don't get competitive quotes," Coren said.

Mayor Joseph Marchese countered that quality of service is tougher to measure.

"We can go with somebody with a cheaper cost, but how we know the quality of the service?" he said.

Alderman Ted Schauer said he was the first council member in 2016 to push for another five years with the waste hauler, which has a number of owners. Years before that, he said the city's trash hauler was an "absolute train wreck."

"We always have to look at bids. We have to do what's in the best interests of the city of Darien," Schauer said. "When we do make this decision, we better take a look at apples to apples — service and quality vs. cost and so forth."

Aldermen made no decisions and planned to revisit the issue in a couple of weeks.