By Sara Beth Williams–
Following arguments for and against issuing a Request for Proposal, the Citrus Heights City Council narrowly gave the green light to the city to move forward with pursuing a new 10-year contract with Republic Services for residential waste and recycling collection in the city. The contract approval is subject to the results of a future public hearing regarding proposed rate increases and final contract details, which will occur at a later date.
The City Council on Wednesday evening heard findings from 60-day negotiations between the city of Citrus Heights and Republic Services and was asked to decide whether to move forward with renewing another 10-year contract or request that the city put the contract out to bid.
Several members of the public spoke both in favor and against the city issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP), including San Juan Unified School District Board President Tanya Kravchuk, who spoke in favor of an RFP, and former city employee and current San Juan Unified School District employee and Neighborhood Area 1 president Elyjah Wilbur, who spoke in favor of renewing a contract with Republic Services.
Prior to public comment, city attorneys with Jones and Meyer reported that a review from the Fair Political Practice Commission regarding alleged receipt of donations to city council members that would result in a conflict of interest on the agendized vote for the evening found that the Levine Act had not been violated and that donations received were outside the window of 12 months prior.
After reviewing campaign donations of all city council members following concerns raised from residents, Sentinel staff found that Councilmember Kelsey Nelson received a $500 donation from Republic Services, dated Nov. 4, 2024. No other council members received donations from Republic Services according to published campaign statements.
The Levine Act, which is listed in the city’s agenda packet for each council meeting, prior to proceedings involving a license, permit, or other entitlement for use, parties are required to “disclose any contribution over $500 made to a city elected or appointed officer within the 12 months before and 12 months after the city decision and are prohibited from making, participating in, or using their official position to influence the decision.” The scope of the 1982 Levine Act was expanded to include elected officials in January 2023 and raised the limit to $500 contributions in January 2025.
During the Nov. 12, 2025, City Council meeting, City Council members voted to approve moving forward with 60-day negotiations with Republic Services for a contract renewal. At the time of the meeting, city staff said that because the current waste management contract isn’t set to expire until Dec. 31, 2027, there was still time to both hold negotiations with Republic Services and potentially issue an RFP later.
Related: Citrus Heights council split on direction for major solid waste contract – Citrus Heights Sentinel
At least one councilmember, along with multiple members of the public, repeatedly referenced the 10-year contract between Republic Services and the City of Citrus Heights as exceeding $100 million. Despite research and requests from the city for information, The Sentinel was not able to verify the contract’s exact dollar amount. The City of Citrus Heights has not yet responded to a request for comment made on Feb. 23 regarding the total cost of the contract.
In addressing the concerns made by residents during public comment saying negotiations were being held “behind closed doors,” Vice Mayor Porsche Middleton said discussions with information about the contract are being held publicly during council meetings.
“What problem are we actually trying to solve when we have over 90 percent satisfaction, we’ve negotiated additional added services… and still we remain the lowest-cost jurisdiction in the region?” Middleton said, adding that doing an RFP does not guarantee a better rate and does not guarantee better service.
Councilmember Jayna Karpinski-Costa agreed and said we currently have “terrific service” with Republic Services.
“This entire thing has been negotiated behind closed doors; we don’t know what the contract is going to look like,” Councilmember Tim Schaefer countered. “I think this is completely unethical to do the people’s business this way.”
The City Council initially voted 2 to 3 against issuing an RFP and then voted 3 to 2 to recommend the city move forward with renewing a contract with Allied Waste Services of North America, LLC, known as Republic Services. Schaefer, along with Mayor MariJane Lopez-Taff, voted against renewing the contract and favored issuing an RFP.
A public hearing regarding rate increases will be held at a later date where the public will hear final contract costs and details and have an opportunity to comment.
City Council members also supported four specific amendments the city requested direction on regarding services in the negotiated contract with Republic Services, including: adding street sweeping, which will cost customers an extra $1.19 and save the city almost $13,800 compared to the current street sweeping provider costs; reducing the number of Neighborhood Cleanup days from three per year to two per year, which will save customers 77 cents; and adding an annual household hazardous waste drop-off event, which will not affect customer rates. Councilmembers also supported shifting billing from bi-monthly to tri-monthly.
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