Council could seek garbage proposals

St. Charles Parish Council members will consider requesting proposals for garbage collection after SDT Waste and Debris services made the parish an offer that would save residents around $1.4 million over the next five years.

Councilman Shelley Tastet said council chairman Billy Raymond Sr. has sent him and other council members a proposed resolution that would formally request proposals. The resolution will likely be introduced at the Sept. 20 meeting and voted on the first week of October.

The parish currently has a contract with IESI, who is offering to drop its monthly bill for residential pickup from $11.99 per month to $11.29 per month if the parish decides on a five-year renewal. However, the parish has also received a proposal from SDT Waste and Debris Services that would cost residents $10.29 per month.

Tastet said the decision on whether to renew IESI’s contract or go out for proposals is a difficult one.

“Right now, we have really great service from IESI,” he said. “If we decide to go with someone else, you never know if they will provide that same level of service. It’s a tough decision.”

Tastet said that the residents in his district are extremely pleased with IESI, and that the only times he has been asked by residents to go out for proposals has been at community meetings.

“We’re in a position now where we have to go out for proposals,” he said. “You’re taking a chance when you do that, but with the economy the way it is now, you have to look at all options when it comes to a lower price.”