HF&H Consultants, LLC

San Bernardino County

Solid Waste Franchise Negotiations

2003

Client Needs

The County of San Bernardino contracts with haulers to provide residential and commercial collection services in more than 25 areas and sub areas within the unincorporated county. The County was establishing five new county franchise areas in need of haulers and collection agreements. The County received proposals to service these areas, as well as proposals to make revisions to existing contracts. Service areas received different services at different rates. Proposals were received in a variety of formats. The County needed to determine costs and services to be negotiated in each area.

HF&H Solutions

First, HF&H worked closely with County staff to assist staff in gaining a better understanding of their own complex network of franchise agreements.

Proposals had been solicited without strict guidelines; therefore, some information was incomplete and the proposals were difficult to compare. We profiled proposed and existing service arrangements by hauler and new county franchise area in a way to permit the reader to understand and compare the various proposed services and terms for each area.

We provided rate evaluations to identify and evaluate the reasonableness of proposed rates. The County was grateful for the detailed layout of rates that we provided, as the format assisted in reviewing fees and over-charges as well.

For proposals relating to existing franchise areas, HF&H summarized proposed contract changes by hauler and franchise area, listing recommended changes and corresponding rate effects.

We provided contract language for use in the contract revisions and new franchise area agreements to provide the County with clearer and more complete service requirements and contract language that will enable the County to enforce these requirements.

Results

As a result of our assistance, County staff gained: