Lower bid kicks WM to the curb

After more than 25 years of working with Creston, waste collection company WM has been beat out with a lower bid from Jim’s Sanitation.

Representatives from both companies spoke at Tuesday’s city council meeting on why they are the best choice for Creston. Up for bid was a five-year contract for residential waste services, including solid waste, recycling and bulk pickup.

WM, who have been in contract with Creston since 1999, bid a rate of $20.80 per household.

“We ask for your support to continue our standard for your residents. It’s the carts that are already on the ground. They don’t have to have their carts removed, get a new cart. Their service day doesn’t change,” WM representative Ammon Taylor said. “You have many elderly residents who are signed up for house side service where they’re handicapped and can’t bring it down to the curb. Our drivers know what homes those are. By staying with WM, you have a completely easy transition for both the service, the billing, the monthly suspension list, the communication, all of that.”

Jim’s Sanitation originally bid $21.10, but said “in the event that there is a lower price from a reputable competitor, we will beat it by 5%.” This brings their bid down to $19.76 per household.

“We are a small company. We service about six different towns around Southwest Iowa here, and we’ve been doing that for the past 12 years. We’ve got a good reputation going on here,” Jim’s Sanitation Vice President Tom Marquart said. “Creston is our hometown. We’ve lived here for 45, 50 years, and we’re just glad we can get an opportunity to put a good bid in there, competitive bid.”

Marquart said Jim’s Sanitation has committed to keeping the same pickup days to avoid confusion in residents. However, new receptacles will have to be purchased

Multiple councilmembers lamented having to make a choice, stating both were fantastic companies and bids.

“These were two of the most competitive applications I’ve seen,” councilmember Jocelyn Blazek said. “It was very difficult. I think I can speak for the rest of the [financial] committee that it was very difficult to make a decision or make a recommendation. They were very, very equally matched.”

Councilmember Jason Cook agreed, adding that while he has heard of no issues from the city with WM, the public would be upset if the lowest bid wasn’t picked.

However, no one on the council jumped to make a motion. Eventually, councilmember Josh Thompson made a motion to go with WM’s bid.

“I’m of the opinion that we should stay with where we’re at,” Thompson said. “I know it costs a little bit more money for the residents, but it’s a service that has been tried and true for the last several years.”

However, no one made a second to the motion. Blazek then made a motion to go with Jim’s Sanitation, which was seconded by councilmember Jen Worisek. The motion was approved 5-1, with Thompson voting against it. Toby Henry was not present. The new contract will go into effect July 1.