Town Approves Waste Pro Bid

Town council approved 6-1 Wednesday to accept Waste Pro's bid for solid waste and recycling for residents. 

Councilwoman Kima Garten-Schmidt voted against awarding the bid due to her "many questions." 

According to discussion during the public works committee Aug. 3 and the regular council meeting Aug. 10, Waste Pro was the lowest of three bidders that offered a recycling rewards program. The bid could save the town $150,000 per year, according to Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Terry Jenkins. 

The proposed contract has not been agreed upon yet, so final numbers are not available. This was approval of the bidding process so that details of the contract can been worked upon, Jenkins said. 

According to Waste Pro's Howard Burnett, who spoke during the public works committee Aug. 3, the Florida company will establish its Charleston base of operations in the town of Summerville — creating an additional boon to town revenue in addition to the savings offered, Burnett said.

Garten-Schmidt dissented because she said exact pricing, size of recycling container, exact recycling program rewards and other things weren't stated in the bid. She also voiced concerns during the Aug. 8 finance committee meeting earlier this week.