BIDS OPENED FOR TRASH SERVICES PROVE HIGHER THAN CITY OFFER

Bids from two outside contractors for Cape Girardeau trash pickup came in higher than the city's proposed fee for solid waste service.

A complete bid from Continental Waste Inc. of Jackson and an alternative bid from Browning-Ferris Industries Inc. of Marion, Ill., were opened Friday.

The CWI bid for the first year of service was $17.76 per household each month. This figure represents the same services city residents now receive.

The BFI bid was $13.60 per household each month. However, Mary Ann Klein, environmental services coordinator for the city, said it differs from the bid specifications. She said the proposal will be reviewed to determine what differences exist.

The city's "bid" stands at $12.10 per month for trash service.

The bids will be presented to city council members at their June 6 meeting.

Klein, City Manager J. Ronald Fischer, Assistant City Manager and Public Works Director Doug Leslie, City Attorney Warren Wells and Assistant Public Works Director Kevin McMeel looked at the bids Friday.

At a pre-bid conference, which the companies were required to attend, potential bidders were told that the proposals must follow exactly the form provided by the city.

When the bids were opened Friday, BFI submitted an alternate that didn't include some of the items on the solicitation document.

Fischer said staff members took pains to ensure the bid specifications reflect the same services residents now receive.

"This started when we made a proposal to the council that fees be raised to $12," Fischer said.

"The council felt it was enough of a raise and enough people had been asking about alternatives that it directed the staff to solicit bids."

The $12 figure has gone up since that time because of increases in landfill charges.

Both CWI and BFI have commercial trash contracts in Cape Girardeau and in the area.