BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Beginning Oct. 1, Brevard County residents will see an increase in residential garbage and recycling collection from $139.70 a year to $194.28.

The increase will be reflected as a separate charge on property tax bills beginning in Nov. 2020.

The current garbage and recycling contract with Waste Management of Florida expires effective Sept. 30, 2020.

Following a thorough competitive bid process, and based on the lowest negotiated rates, Waste Management was selected and awarded a new contract through 2027.

Notices were previously sent by Brevard County Solid Waste Management to residents to inform them of the pending increase for service.

The solid waste assessment rate will be subject to a public hearing at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, in the Commission Board Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, 32940.

These are among the steps taken by the County in reaching a contract for garbage, recycling and unlimited yard waste collection:

On Jan. 9, 2019, the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to solicit a Request for Proposals, including three options:

? Submit Countywide proposal for residential and commercial services.

? Submit North County Area proposal for residential and commercial services.

? Submit South County Area proposal for residential and commercial services.

? The Board also directed staff to request pricing options for limited yard waste collection versus unlimited yard waste collection.

? The Board directed staff to request pricing options for frequency of pickup service, such as a once-a-week garbage pick-up.

? The Board directed staff to request pricing options for limited yard waste collection versus unlimited yard waste collection.

? In September 2019, the County received four bids for solid waste and recycling collection and three actual proposals from Waste Pro,

? Waste Management and FCC. A statement of no-bid was received from Republic Services.

? Waste Management submitted the lowest competitive bid.

? Based on bids received, once-a-week pick-up would have resulted in an 18-percent increase in collection cost.

In November 2019, the Board directed staff to enter into same-service negotiations with Waste Management, which was selected as the highest-ranked proposer.

Per Board direction, a negotiating committee was instructed to negotiate rates with Waste Management to maintain the current level of service.

The negotiating committee was also able to get Waste Management to decrease Countywide pick-up rates from a proposed 43 percent increase down to a 37 percent increase; down from a proposed $19.1 million annually to $18.3 million. As a result, residential monthly rates will increase from $11.30 to $15.47.

Under the Waste Management contract approved by the Board of County Commissioners, and effective Oct. 1, 2020, there will be no change to the current level of services, which include twice-a-week pick-up for garbage, once-a-week pick-up for recycling and once-a-week pick-up for unlimited yard waste collection.