The Pine Bluff City Council is set to vote tonight on the city’s next sanitation services contract, a decision that could impact rates for both residents and businesses.
Waste Management (WM), which has provided service to Pine Bluff for more than 30 years, submitted an alternate proposal Tuesday afternoon in response to the city’s recent request for proposals. The company is offering to maintain current service levels while lowering the residential rate to $15.85 per month — $2.53 less than the current rate and $3.54 less than the $19.39 rate proposed by competitor CARDS.
In a letter to Mayor Vivian Flowers and council members, WM Public Sector Manager Jamie Vernon said the company’s alternate plan would save Pine Bluff households about $42 annually, totaling more than $570,000 citywide each year compared to CARDS’ bid.
Vernon also emphasized that WM’s plan includes local customer service, with a staffed office and dedicated phone line in Pine Bluff. He added that selecting WM would avoid potential service interruptions, especially for commercial roll-off customers who could be left seeking new options by Oct. 31 if contracts change.
The council will hear discussion and is expected to vote on the proposals during its regular meeting. Members will have to weigh WM’s lower rate and continuity of service against other contract terms, including exceptions the company has proposed to the language of the agreement.
The outcome will decide whether Pine Bluff continues its long-standing partnership with WM or moves forward with a new provider at higher residential rates.
