JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson Mayor Chokwe A. Lumumba announced he will issue a request for proposal (RFP) for garbage collection.

The city is currently under an emergency contract with Richard’s Disposal, which expires in March 2024.

Last week, the City Council voted to begin the RFP process, however the mayor said councilmembers do not have the authority to do so. He also warned that garbage fees could go up.

“When the price comes back, please, please don’t be unfair to this administration and ask us how we arrived at such a high price. Okay? We’ve told you that it would be a high price, and we have every indication from the market, every indication from everyone else who has issued an RFP with us that it is going to be substantially higher. And that’s what’s going to happen,” Lumumba said.

Richard’s Disposal is currently suing the city for alleged contract violations. Lumumba claimed the city was on the verge of reaching a deal with Richard’s to drop the lawsuit, but councilmembers canceled the deal.