We made it to 300 signatures!! Let's keep rolling! 

You can easily share our petition by copying this link, and if you haven't already, please take 2 minutes to copy, paste & send our SAMPLE EMAIL (below the update): https://www.change.org/SarasotaTrash

Not surprising, but disappointing update:

1. Only 5 vendors (including incumbent Waste Management, selected new vendor Waste Pro, selected new vendor FCC and 2 other non-selected vendors) submitted responses to Sarasota County's "ITN" (Intent to Negotiate) during a roughly 3-month period in 2023.

2. Instead of extending the bidding window and attempting to solicit more than 5 responses, Sarasota County chose to evaluate only 4 new vendors and the incumbent, Waste Management.

3. Of note, 124 clarifying questions were asked by prospective bidders after they reviewed the ITN. This could potentially be interpreted as a sign of a poorly constructed ITN, and deserves further inspection.

Please read this article that briefly addresses some internal County concerns: https://sarasotanewsleader.com/sticker-shock-expected-when-sarasota-county-staff-gets-bids-for-next-solid-waste-contract

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SAMPLE EMAIL/TEXT language below:

To: busher@scgov.net, sbotelho@scgov.net, rlewis@scgov.net, 
rcutsinger@scgov.net

Subject: PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW: Bring back Waste Management!

Dear Brian et al,

Sarasota County faces an escalating problem of service neglect tied to the new trash and recycling vendors, Waste Pro and FCC. Many of us live on tight budgets and fixed incomes, and while our taxes are relentless in their increases, the quality of waste services we receive in return has now nosedived.

We were never clearly told that extra trash bins cannot be purchased, but must be “leased” for an ongoing annual fee of approximately $100, which we assume will increase each year.

We had access to unlimited bulk pickup services before changing vendors, but now are restricted to just four (4) unless we pay for more. 

For years, Sarasota County depended on consistent waste collection services from Waste Management. This vendor was, on the whole, reliable and efficient. However, with the introduction of the two new vendors, we see the opposite.

Trash collection schedules are erratically missed, and in some neighborhoods, regular accumulation has led to sanitation concerns. These issues can spiral quickly into profound consequences for citizens and businesses who depend on regular collection services not only for cleanliness but to avert health hazards.

Beyond the inconvenience and potential health threats, there lies the stark reality that we're paying a lot more for less.

The financial burden on seniors and fixed/low-income residents is inexcusable. Everyone deserves the right to efficient and dependable waste collection for the dollars we contribute to public infrastructures.

We demand accountability. Sarasota County officials must recognize the urgency of the situation they've created, take immediate action to terminate the contract with the underperforming vendors, and re-engage Waste Management.

We expect that all records pertaining to how this vendor selection decision was made will be immediately shared publicly as a step towards repairing trust and transparency, and can only hope that extensive good faith negotiations occurred between you and our incumbent provider, Waste Management. 

At minimum, we expect to see that all pros and cons of a vendor change — not cost alone — were evaluated with internal decision makers and objective external reviewers before the County decided to engage Waste Pro and FCC.

Our community deserves a reliable service that accurately reflects the taxes we pay and aligns with our foundational community standards.

Regards,
[NAME / BUSINESS NAME] or Anonymous / A Frustrated Voter
https://www.change.org/SarasotaTrash