By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Government organizations put out requests for proposals or bids on major contracts and projects. Tuesday morning, the Barton County Commission rejected a bid for a new trash hauling contract. Administrator Matt Patzner presented the information to the board.
"The county requested proposals for trash-hauling services for county office buildings," he said. "There are generally three pick-up dates per week for service year 2025. Chism's Trash Service submitted the only bid at a cost that was about twice the current amount we are paying right now."
With Tuesday's rejection of the proposed bid, Facilities Management Director Darren Williams can now begin negotiations with area vendors for a cost closer to what the county is currently paying. Commissioner Duane Reif said that is the best option.
"Negotiation, I think that's the best way to do things," he said. "You're going to save some money. I guess it really threw a red flag up when they said it was going to be about twice as much."
The last trash bid was awarded in 2021 to Estes, which was later purchased by Unruh, at a rate of $460 a month for all county offices. The bid received by Chism's was for $880 per month.