Mt. Vernon single-source trash service years in the making by aldermen

City hopes for less wear and tear of roadways with less trash truck traffic; will enjoy lower rates
The Mt. Vernon Board of Aldermen voted to make Doty Trash Services the city’s single-source trash service provider during their meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 13. However, City Administrator Max Springer said the issue about a single-service provider has been looked at by the city for several years.
“This is an issue that has been ongoing for the past 10 years or so,” he said. “It was brought up this time during a regular session of the Board of Aldermen on Aug. 23, 2016 during the Citizen Participation part of the session. A citizen of Mt. Vernon requested that a discussion be held on how to control the number of trips different trash companies are using his street daily. The board held a discussion at that time about solutions to the problem. Single source trash service was the solution that was determined to be the best solution.”
Springer added that, in accordance with state law, the city gave notice over two years ago about their intention to “enter into or expand into solid waste collection.”
“The Missouri Statutes require in Chapter 260.247 that a notice be given that the city intends to enter into or expand into solid waste collection,” he said. “The notice must be given two years in advance of the city entering into or expanding into solid waste collection. The city gave notice on Jan. 3, 2017 to all the private companies providing trash service in Mt. Vernon and in the paper.”
The board sent out requests for bids to trash service providers on June 20 of this year, Springer said. The board ultimately chose to go with Doty’s because theirs was the lowest bid.
“We had four companies submit proposals for a five-year period,” Springer said. “Doty’s was the lowest and best proposal,” adding that the board “retains the right to accept or reject any and all proposals.”
 Springer said he has received “some positive and some negative” feedback from residents, but ultimately, residents will see a number of benefits from the city’s decision to go with a single-service provider. In addition to better pricing, one benefit citizens will see will be less traffic and less damage to city streets as a result. Also, he said, there will be trash service for all residents.
Mt. Vernon, Springer added, is not unique in their decision to go with a single service provider. He provided an extensive list of other communities which also use single-service providers, including: Cassville, Monett, Ozark, Nixa, Neosho, Webb City, Bolivar, Hollister, Buffalo, Ava, Strafford, Clever, Marionville, Ash Grove, Sarcoxie, Greenfield, Billings, Miller, Lockwood and Lamar.
“These are just a few,” he said.