By Matt de Simone
The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors recently awarded five waste collection services “franchise areas” to provide services beginning January 1, 2025. Deputy County Administrator David Moorman provided information regarding the recent decision during last Tuesday’s meeting in Daleville.
Moorman explained that local curbside waste collection services are provided for and regulated through a competitive franchise system. Every seven years, the county issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) from private collection companies to provide curbside waste collection services to residents and businesses.
Based on the proposals received and interviews, the committee recommended the award of franchises as follows:
- Area 1 (Blue Ridge) – GFL Environmental
- Area 2 (Troutville) – Kesslers Garbage Service
- Area 3 (Fincastle) – Kelley’s Garbage Collection Service
- Area 4 (Buchanan) – C&S Disposal
- Area 5 (Eagle Rock/Oriskany) – WasteCo
In addition to awarding franchises, the county regulates how much collection companies may charge customers. The current maximum allowable monthly charge is $22. Based on company proposals and inflationary increases over the past seven years, the committee recommended that the board establish a maximum monthly collection rate of $24 for the new franchise term.
The county is divided into five franchise areas and collection companies were invited to apply to serve one or more franchise areas. Botetourt’s current collection franchises terminate December 31, 2024.
Six companies submitted proposals. Proposals were evaluated by an evaluation committee consisting of Moorman, Supervisors Walter Michael (Blue Ridge), and Brandon Nicely (Fincastle) with assistance from Solid Waste Manager Greg Hannah and support from Purchasing Manager Kim Hartman. The committee interviewed representatives of all six companies. The companies were: C&S Disposal, GFL Environmental, Kelley’s Garbage Collection Service, Kesslers Garbage, Service Meridian Waste Virginia, and WasteCo.
Additionally, these haulers will also collect recyclable materials at no additional charge to residents. The county will continue to encourage participation in this service, as shared by Moorman.
Fincastle Supervisor Brandon Nicely added, “It went really well. Very professional. It’s amazing that we have private contractors and very little complaints. Hats off to them.”
Blue Ridge Supervisor Walter Michael noted the “seamless process” when making the decision of which franchises to award the private collection companies.
