NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez may terminate its garbage collection contract with Waste Pro USA in hopes of finding better, cheaper services.

Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell said Wednesday that the city would issue a request for proposal (RFP) to open the bidding process to any interested waste collection and disposal providers — including Waste Pro.With the Waste Pro contract set to expire Nov. 30, Grennell said the city is required to notify the company of the intent to discontinue the agreement 90 days in advance of the expiration date.

The goal of accepting new proposals, Grennell said, is to acquire both a lower rate and improved collections services.

Grennell said he and Ward 3 Alderwoman Sarah Smith have spoken with Adams County Board of Supervisors President Mike Lazarus about the possibility of the city and county joining together on residential waste collection services.

“If we take that route, we can probably get a much better rate,” Grennell said.

Grennell also said he wants residents to have the options of selecting between weekly or twice-a-week pickup.

“Some residents don’t generate enough garbage to justify twice-a-week pickup,” Grennell said.

Currently, all residents pay for semiweekly pickup, whereas having the option to choose would allow residents that only require weekly pickup to save money.

While Grennell said Waste Pro would have the right to submit a bid and would be considered along with any other providers, he said the company has demonstrated lackluster service at times over the past few years.

“There have been times where Waste Pro has dropped the ball and has missed picking up residential garbage in neighborhoods,” Grennell said.

The mayor even cited personal anecdotes of times where his own recyclables would go uncollected on pickup days.

Additionally, Grennell referenced confusion between Waste Pro and Natchez businesses that occurred in December. Though businesses had been paying trash collection bills through Natchez Water Works, Waste Pro opted to instead begin billing businesses directly, which Grennell said created “chaos.”

“We just need to make sure we (clear up those details) in the next RFP so that we don’t have that type of confusion,” Grennell said.

Grennell said the city is considering taking on a “third party administrator who are experts in garbage disposal services” to help craft the RFP.

The city is next scheduled to discuss the RFP at a specially called meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday. in the Council Chambers building.