NATCHEZ — Waste hauler Arrow Disposal Services Inc. is in the driver’s seat to become Natchez’s next waste hauler starting next month.

Natchez aldermen voted unanimously Thursday to enter into negotiations for twice-weekly garbage collection and weekly recycling collection with ADSI, which edged four other waste companies to earn the right to negotiate a contract.

The deal has not been finalized, and the city must now set up a meeting to negotiate terms of the contract.

Though nothing is set in stone, other representatives of competing haulers — including current hauler Waste Pro and former hauler Waste Management — congratulated Jimmie Moore, ADSI Vice President of Governmental and Public Affairs.

“It’s been an arduous process, but we just look forward to meeting for discussions and negotiations,” Moore said.

The board of aldermen used a scoring system to methodically choose with which of the haulers they wished to negotiate, Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said when he made the announcement.

What exact factors the board used to select ADSI is unclear, as Ward 1 Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis said she would not answer any contractual questions until after the negotiations are complete so as to avoid any legal blowback.

Though the details from all the proposals submitted to the city by waste companies have yet to be released, Moore did offer some information about ADSI’s proposal. The company offered to bring in new trucks and new garbage carts to provide its services, Moore said.

But the element of time also factors into the negotiations. Moore had said in a meeting last month that his company would be pressed for time even at that stage of the process. Now less than a month away from the start date of June 1 for the new garbage hauler, Moore said his company might have to get creative to be ready for June 1.

“We were proposing new trucks, new carts,” Moore said. “It takes a little time to get those things and get them delivered.

“We may have to do some things that we would not otherwise do to make it happen. I can’t stand here and tell you tonight that that can—” Moore snapped his fingers, “fall into place. I don’t know.

“But I’m about to call my two owners and tell them the results. They will be excited, and we will look forward to the meeting (and) look forward to serving Natchez.”

Moore said he did not know exactly when the meeting to negotiate would take place.

ADSI is based in Abbeville, Alabama, and currently serves 15 municipalities in Mississippi and Alabama, including Southaven and Horn Lake.

The proposed rate of service has not been disclosed, and the city has the ability to try and lower the proposed rate during the negotiation state.

Waste Pro will continue to provide collection services until its emergency contract with the city expires at the end of this month.