Corte Madera is moving forward with a waste management agreement with Mill Valley Refuse Service.

The Town Council voted unanimously to waive a request for proposals. Council members also weighed in on proposed preliminary terms for the 15-year deal.

“At this point, what I’m looking at is that we’ve had good service from Mill Valley Refuse,” Vice Mayor Rose Thomas said. “It sounds like they are trying to do the right thing by the cities that they service, specifically by Corte Madera.”

The town’s 20-year agreement with the waste management company expires on Dec. 31, 2026. At its meeting in March, the council directed staff to enter negotiations with the company, noting that keeping the service would save residents the hassle of switching.

“Staff feels like we’ve come to a really good framework regarding what would be included in a new agreement,” Town Manager Adam Wolff said.

Mill Valley Refuse Service provides residential and commercial waste collection and management. It also performs sweeping on 112 streets, rents out portable bathrooms and garbage bins and offers residents a bulky item collection program.

In fiscal year 2025-26, the town expects more than $1 million from its waste rates. The franchise fee — a fee the town charges the company to operate — would stay at 20% of the total revenue. In general, the rates are slightly below the county average of $53.56 per 32 gallons.

The company would not do a detailed rate review for the first two years. It would only use a consumer price index to adjust rates, Wolff said. After two years, the estimated rate increase could be about 1.3%. It would be a 15-year contract, with the option of one five-year extension.

Preliminary terms of the new agreement, according to the town, include annual curbside cleanup collection for apartment buildings; a yearly $12,000 administrative fee paid to the town, which amounts to a $3,000 increase; five additional 40-yard debris boxes per year to collect vegetation; more portable toilets; and greater reporting requirements.

The town hired R3 Consulting Group Inc. to evaluate the agreement. Going through a request for proposals would cost $130,000 to $160,000, according to a staff report.

Scott Hanin, an R3 executive, called the process “unpredictable” and said going out to bid would be risky. He said a new contract could offer less service for more money.

“The economy is not what it used to be, and as you know, after the pandemic, all bets were off on what to expect,” Hanin said. “I think in your case, you have one of the highest levels of service that I’ve ever seen.”

Mayor Pat Ravasio said the town has been well served.

“I have really, for 33 years now, really appreciated the service you provide and I’m really glad the town seems to be on the path of not going out for an RFP,” she said.

Vice Mayor Rosa Thomas asked if the company will be upgrading its facilities to better recycle certain plastics in the future.

Gene Della Zoppa, the owner, said recycling materials, standards and requirements change throughout time. For example, he said, the company can now accept plastic clamshell takeout containers and has already updated the tool that sorts plastics. He said upcoming legislation also will streamline the process, and shift costs from consumers to producers.

“I think this is a big step for the industry as a whole, given that producers now are going to be given a higher criteria with respect to product packaging, and if the materials that we are producing are becoming more recyclable, the industry is going to be better off,” Della Zoppa said.

Wolff said the company has been positive, transparent and responsive during the negotiation process and he would feel good about going forward with a new contract.

“I will say from my own standpoint, the last four months and working with Mill Valley Refuse Service has given me a new sense of appreciation for their company, the long partnership they’ve had with the town,” Wolff said.

Councilmember Eli Beckman said that in general he is “uncomfortable” with private for-profit companies providing essential town services, though he was clear his feelings were not directed at the company specifically.

“This is more my own personal philosophy,” Beckman said.

He said jurisdictions in Marin should look at creating a joint powers agreement for solid waste management, but noted that is a “revolutionary thought.” He asked for the agreement to include a voluntary termination agreement.