The city of Selma is one step closer to solving its garbage issue after sending out requests for proposals to companies that might be interested in taking over the service.

According to City Attorney Jimmy Nunn, the city sent out RFPs on Aug. 28 to nine different companies.

“We’re requesting a proposal if they are interested in the garbage collection and disposal for residential garbage in the city of Selma,” Nunn said.

Nunn did not name the nine companies. In a previous interview with the Times-Journal, Mary O’Brien, chief marketing officer for Advanced Disposal, said the company is interested in making a proposal to the city to continue servicing Selma.

The city of Selma’s garbage collection service with Advanced Disposal will come to an end Jan. 31, 2016. Advanced Disposal opted not to renew its contract based on a large amount of bills that have gone unpaid, costing the company money.

“We’ll definitely look at the RFP when it is issued, and at that point, based on the language in the RFP, make a determination how and what level we’ll participate,” O’Brien said in August.

According to Nunn, the RFP has two different options.

“We are asking for a subscription-based service. That is one of the propositions for them to do the billing and the collection,” Nunn said.

“And then the second proposal we’re asking for is that the billing and collection would be made by the city of Selma with just a payment to the contractor so they would not be responsible for collection. They would just invoice the city of Selma instead of the customer.”

A phone call to O’Brien requesting comment on the RFP from Selma was not returned Tuesday.

Nunn said a pre-bid conference is scheduled for next week to allow potential bidders to ask questions.

“RFPs went out on [Aug. 28]. There is a mandatory pre-bid conference that is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 10 a.m.,” Nunn said. “They will come and if there are any questions we will be able to answer any questions. If we cannot answer the questions we’ll get back in touch with everyone via email or the address that they have given us to update them on anything.”

With nine potential options, Evans hopes the city can find the right company to take over the service, whether it is Advanced Disposal or a new company.

“I hope we can get a good company that is reliable and can do the things that are written in the RFP to serve the citizens,” Evans said. “[We want] the best company for the best cost with the best service to serve the people.”

According to Nunn, the bid will open Sept. 17 at 1 p.m., which is when companies will be allowed to bid on the service.

“Once the bid is opened up on the 17th, then we will review them probably within the next week or two and submit them to the city council,” Nunn said. “And it will be left up to the city council to choose the most responsible person.”