ORANGE PARK – Town council members agreed to hold a final vote on a garbage contract that will cost $50 a month for residents.

The town is looking to renew its contract with Waste Management.

“I like the idea of having uniform-looking cans out there I certainly understand a fixed income perspective for cost increase,” said councilm,an Doug Benefield, “But if I look at the math, it’s $600 a year. To me, that’s not life-changing, although it has increased. I’d like to understand more the risks associated with going out for an RFP (Request For Proposal).”

“Like the councilman said about the trash usage, we have three-to-five people (that use it) in our household, and we do fine with one container a week. I think we use one bag per day. For pickup, I don’t do it two times a week. I do one time per week,” said Susana Thompson.

Thompson said she would also like to gather more information about the RFP.

“I wanted to be sure to give the opportunity to everybody to come in with a quote on behalf of the town residents because I really think we should be diligent in what we agreed to. There’s going to be such an increase for a lot of these residents, and many people may not be able to pay for the increase in the service costs,” she said.

Town Public Works Director Kyle Croce said locking in on a fairly-priced contract with Waste Management could be a big advantage for Orange Park.

Other concerns remain if the town does not, Croce said.

If an RFP were to go out, it would have to be created and advertised on a tight schedule, Croce said.

“We’re talking about time, and it’s going to be six months. I can guarantee that’s next fiscal year,” he said.

The contract could also be more expensive.

“Even on a government contract with Sourcewell, those costs for that equipment are going to go up. What they’re asking for right now is significantly less than if we go out for an RFP for the new trucks next year,” Croce said.

RFP results were also excessively higher in Neptune Beach and Fernandina Beach than figures that Orange Park presented to their Public Safety and Public Works Committees during their last meeting, according to Town Manager Sarah Campbell.

“We’ll do whatever you want us to do, but if you’re looking for the best fiscal interests for the residents, the price is not going to go down; it will go up,” she said.

“Many local communities pay into the $60s (monthly) for their trash service. Fernandina is the perfect example for why we should extend and not send out an RFP,” vice mayor Alan Watt said.

The council agreed to vote on the contract at its next meeting on May 2.