Hoffman looks to exclusive contract for commercial waste hauling

Hoffman Estates officials tonight will discuss awarding an exclusive contract to Groot Industries for waste hauling in the village's commercial areas through 2015.

Other waste hauling businesses are angered by the possible agreement, not least because it hasn't been open for competitive bidding.

Mayor William McLeod said having an exclusive contract with one provider will carry a number of benefits, including increased recycling and fewer garbage trucks on the streets.

The reason the bidding process is being bypassed, McLeod said, is that a new state law allows municipalities to award such contracts only until Oct. 1 before a 15-month waiting period is enforced.

McLeod added that Groot has proved itself through its service as the village's residential provider, and its contract for that will also be renewed tonight.

John Larsen, general manager of Allied Waste in Elgin, said the city of Chicago is considering the same basic idea as Hoffman Estates and is up against the same time frame. But Chicago officials are still planning to individually bid out contracts for several different subdivisions of the city, Larsen said.

The village board meets at 7 p.m. as the Committee of the Whole. The village board meeting begins at 8 p.m. in the same room inside Hoffman Estates village hall, 1900 Hassell Road.