STATEHOUSE (Feb. 22, 2022) – A bill sponsored by State Sen. Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne) that would give another option for cities to select a solid waste collector passed the Senate unanimously today.
Current Indiana law requires a city to contract with a collector through an invitation-to-bids process, which is driven only by price and requires cities to choose the least expensive bidder and does not allow the city the flexibility to shop for the highest quality of service. House Enrolled Act 1286 would let cities to contract with solid waste collectors through a request-for-proposals procedure (RPF).
By adopting an RFP process, local officials could make decisions, informed by public opinion, based on the company's facility design, system reliability, energy efficiency and compatibility with source separation including recycling, instead of just the cost of the contractor alone.
"My colleagues and I have listened to the concerns of Fort Wayne residents regarding the unreliable solid waste collection the city has dealt with over the last four years," Busch said. "This legislation would ensure communities in Indiana don't have to go through what we've gone through, and it eases the pressure for Fort Wayne to select a reliable collector moving forward."
HEA 1286 will now be sent to the governor's desk for final consideration.
-30-
Click here for a high-resolution photo of Busch.
