The Jasper County Board of Supervisors is considering prioritizing its garbage collections.

During its meeting Monday, the board voted to seek Requests For Proposals (RFPs) concerning prioritizing garbage collections.

Buford Clark with Waste Management of Mississippi addressed the board and asked the county to consider privatizing its garbage collection process.

Clark said Jasper County currently uses Waste Management’s landfill for disposal of its garbage. However, the county currently collects its own garbage.

“Since 1997, your garbage has been going to our landfill,” he said. “We want you to consider privatizing your garbage collections in hopes of trying to save you money.”

Clark said Waste Management currently contracts with over 100 governmental entities for garbage collection.

“This is not to put people out of work, but it’s to offer you a better way of doing a service,” he explained. “We usually hire some of your folks and we are usually able to save you money.”

Clark said Waste Management, which is a privately-owned waste disposal company, usually comes in to assess the county or government entity and then submit a proposal for the entity’s business.

Clark said Waste Management is currently doing business in Jasper County.

“We currently collects the garbage here in the City of Bay Springs,” he said. “We have operations in Meridian and Lake, which would be close to you.”

Clark said considering privatization would not cost the county.

“You are already our customer, so we will try to give you the best deal possible,” he said. “It doesn’t cost you anything to look at it.”

All five supervisors agreed that requesting proposals from all interested companies might be in the best interest of the county.

Clark said privatizing the garbage collections would eliminate duplication or overlapping of routes.

“We do a lot of things differently. We work longer hours and more days,” he said. “Most times, we can save you money with equipment and manpower.”