DATE: July 14, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Future Solid Waste, Recycling, and Organic Waste Collection Services in Unincorporated Fresno County
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Receive information relating to the County’s current Solid Waste, Recycling, and Organic Waste Collection/Management Program;
2. Direct staff to proceed with a wholly exclusive franchise program design, whereby a single contractor would provide services countywide;
3. Direct staff to proceed with all actions necessary to implement mandatory collection services in select areas subject to the County’s jurisdictional authority; and
4. Direct staff to proceed with procurement of curbside collection services through the competitive bidding process.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Approval of the recommended actions will provide direction from your Board for the future solid waste, recycling, and organic waste collection program. The Department of Public Works and Planning (Department) is recommending and seeking your Board’s direction to proceed with a single contractor exclusive franchise program design, implementation of mandatory collection services within select areas, and procurement of services through the competitive bidding process. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended actions are not approved, your Board has the option to direct staff to proceed with a partially exclusive franchise program design, whereby multiple contractors would provide services countywide. Your Board also has the option to direct staff to maintain the County’s current non-mandatory structure, and the option to select the contracted hauler(s) rather than direct staff to proceed with procurement of services through the competitive bidding process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. Costs for administering the solid waste, recycling, and organic waste collection program are funded by the AB 939 Service Fees remitted to the County. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department’s Resources Division Org 9015 FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget and will be included in future budget requests.
DISCUSSION:
On August 30, 2005, the Board adopted Chapter 8.21 of the County Ordinance Code, which established the exclusive service areas. The Board simultaneously approved agreements with 14 solid waste haulers, consistent with competitive public procurement protocols, to provide exclusive collection services within the assigned territories created by Chapter 8.21. Exclusive Service Area Program (ESAP) services are provided to customers who choose to subscribe to weekly curbside collection services, with containers varying in size from 30-gallon carts to 6-cubic-yard bins.
On October 31, 2017, the Board approved the Amended and Successor Agreements for solid waste, recycling, and organic waste collection services with ESAP haulers. These Agreements maintained the original scope of services, with updates to address upcoming regulatory requirements and improve reporting. Throughout the term of these Agreements, the County has approved three Amendments to address recycling market challenges, recyclable material contamination issues, and major regulatory updates. The ESAP Agreements are currently in their final Extension Term, with all agreements set to expire on February 27, 2028.
In preparation for a new Agreement in 2028, the County initiated a Performance Review of ESAP Haulers pursuant to the existing Agreement, with assistance from the County’s solid waste planning consultant Stearns, Conrad, and Schmidt Consulting Engineers (SCS Engineers). Following a final report from SCS Engineers, the Department submitted a Board Briefing Report (BBR) on December 22, 2025, to inform your Board of the results of the Performance Review. The BBR also informed your Board that Department staff were preparing to seek Board direction regarding the future solid waste, recycling, and organic waste collection program.
The Department recommends transitioning to a wholly exclusive franchise program design, whereby a single contractor would provide services within an exclusive territory within the County. A wholly exclusive design allows the County to increase compliance and take advantage of logistical and program management efficiencies. It also creates potential for added service value for customers. Chapter 8.21 of the County Ordinance Code may require amendment depending on the type of exclusive program and number of contractors that your Board decides to be appropriate.
The County’s current program design is non-mandatory. Residents and businesses have the option to self-haul rather than subscribing to ESAP services, so long as they are compliant with Chapter 8.20 (Solid Waste Disposal) and Chapter 8.27 (Organic Waste Disposal Reduction Program) of the County Ordinance Code. The Department recommends implementing mandatory collection services within select areas that are subject to State organic waste collection requirements, to ensure the County is fully compliant with evolving and increasingly stringent State waste diversion regulations, such as Senate Bill 1383, which mandates that residents and businesses participate in organic waste recycling to divert organic waste (yard waste and food waste) from landfills. Should your Board choose to implement mandatory collection services in recommended action number 3, a new ordinance will need to be adopted, and compliance with requirements mandated under Proposition 218 will be necessary.
The current ESAP haulers have been contracted with the County since the inception of the program. Originally, the County approved agreements with 14 haulers in 14 different territories. The number of haulers and associated territories has decreased to 7 through either acquisition or assumption over the course of the program. To increase regulatory compliance, secure the best level of services for residents and businesses, and maintain a strong negotiating position moving forward, the Department recommends procuring future contractors through a competitive bidding process, consistent with County procurement policies and protocols. Should your Board choose to proceed with a competitive bidding process described in recommended action number 4, Department staff will issue a Request for Proposal.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BBR - Performance Review for Exclusive Service Area Program Haulers, December 22, 2025
BAI #53, March 28, 2023
BAI #44, October 22, 2019
BAI #54, November 6, 2018
BAI #10, October 31, 2017
BAI #14, August 30, 2005
BAI #13, August 30, 2005
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Presentation
CAO ANALYST:
Maria Valencia