Manatee County will continue twice-weekly trash pickup — for now

With six kids, Manatee County Commissioner James Satcher said he makes good use of the twice-a-week garbage pickup he enjoys while living in unincorporated Manatee County.

However, like other county residents, Satcher and his family could have to adjust to once a week pickup if Manatee County can't negotiate a contract with private haulers that would allow it to continue twice-a-week service.

Commissioners last week approved a two-year extension of the county’s current solid waste contract, which was initiated in 2008, renegotiated in 2016 and set to expire in September. 

A rate increase for residents won’t be determined until after the extension is finalized and a two-year rate study is done, but Utilities Director Evan Pilachowski told the board that residential rates are likely to increase by about $5 a month.

Then negotiations will decide what occurs after the two-year extension.

“I definitely take advantage of the twice-a-week pickup," Satcher said. "If we miss one of the mid-week pickups, we can tell. But the market’s moved, so it’s going to be tough to stick with that plan for too much longer without pricing ourselves out to where the benefit might be outweighed.” 

If pickup does move to once a week, Satcher is hopeful the county will be able to supply extra containers to make the transition easier on residents. He also pointed out that automated pickups are another likely option when a new contract is signed and could cause a “double whammy” for large families.

“If I have overflow, I can stick it on the side of the can, but that’s not an option if you have the arm (of the truck) picking everything up,” Satcher said. “I just hope that when we do sign the contract, we’re able to take care of those things.” 

The commission is united on keeping costs down, so in order to stay within the same pricing structure, cuts likely will have to be made.   

A two-year extension will allow Manatee County to accept bids from any hauler that cares to compete for the contract.

“Manatee County is not by itself," Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh saidl "Most of the counties are seeing huge increases. My question is ‘Why does it cost so much more now?’” 

Sarasota and Charlotte counties offer once-a-week garbage pickup.

Baugh likes the idea of a Town Hall Meeting on the subject, where residents can weigh in on services and rates. Before moving to Manatee and being elected to the commission in 2012, Baugh lived in Sarasota County and was used to once-a-week pickup. At the time, she suggested Manatee County switch from twice-a-week to once-a-week, but she said residents were upset at the thought.