The town's contract with Hendersonville-based GDS will expire at the end of this fiscal year. Though bids have not been formally requested, both GDS and Country Collections have submitted proposals for Sylva's consideration, said town administrator Tommy Thompson. In a separate proposal, GDS submitted a plan to transfer the cost of commercial recycling from the town to the businesses. Should that plan be implemented, it would likely offset the difference in cost between the two bids, Thompson said. A recommendation from the town's trash committee is expected before the board's May 3 meeting.
State law requires three bids be submitted.
The request for bids has been re-advertised, Thompson said, and bids can be opened April 17 regardless of the number received. It was suggested that the town offer the property for sale, but no decision was made Thursday. In a related matter, the board again postponed action on a request to endorse the Jackson County based Canary Coalition, a clean air advocacy group. Some environmental groups use extreme measures to get their point across. I think we need to be careful that environmental groups we endorse use completely legal means.