Dallas would grow its roster of licensed private trash haulers from 72 to 90 under an item the City Council is scheduled to take up Dec. 9.
A memo from Assistant City Manager Alina Ciocan, prepared for the council's Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 17, says the action would grant five-year solid waste collection franchises to 27 companies. Nine are renewals of existing franchises; 18 would be new.
Private haulers that collect garbage, recycling or construction debris for businesses and other customers inside the city need a council-approved franchise to operate, according to the memo. Before an application reaches the council, the Department of Sanitation Services checks that each company is registered, carries the required insurance and is current on city taxes and any past money it owes the city.
The memo says all 27 applicants passed that review.
What the franchises require
The council raised the franchise fee from 4% to 6% of gross receipts in September 2024, effective April 1, 2025, and the new agreements carry the higher rate. Each hauler would also have to:
- Report and pay quarterly
- Keep its insurance in force for the full five years
- Get city approval before the company changes owners or sells its assets
- Follow city ordinances and the franchise terms
The memo projects the 27 agreements will bring about $5.77 million a year into the city's general fund, including roughly $500,000 in new revenue from the first-time franchises.
