Unfortunately, San Diego’s City Council has decided to continue with an expensive and misguided process to contract out Miramar Landfill, without any hard data on the potential benefits or costs and despite many red flags.

Councilmembers David Alvarez, Marti Emerald and Todd Gloria are to be commended for their serious consideration of the issue and their support for the public’s best interests.

More than 150 San Diego residents, including individuals and representatives of a wide variety of community groups, took time on a Monday to come to City Hall to express their concerns about the many risks in contracting out the landfill to a private operator.

Most Councilmembers stated before the vote that the landfill is extremely well-run now by city staff, and makes money for the city. As Councilmember Alvarez noted, there is no “real data” supporting the idea of handing over public control to a for-profit operator, and it could well mean “limitless costs to the city for decades to come.”

In studying the issue for more than a year, CPI has determined the risks far exceed potential gains from putting the landfill through the Mayor’s “managed competition” program.

The city cannot escape legal and financial liability for contractor malfeasance or negligence, which could mean lawsuits or fines from numerous regulatory agencies. The need for strong oversight of private contractors and subcontractors adds to taxpayers’ long-term costs.

Highlighting the risks of contracting out needed services to private companies, it was reported today that the city has paid $1.9 million to settle a lawsuit by a software contractor it fired because of delays and cost overruns.

A CPI op-ed this week noted that the City business office has a dismal track record on setting up relatively simple contracts, increasing doubts about contracting out the complex landfill.

The already costly landfill outsourcing process could continue for many more months, although an Environmental Impact Review hasn’t yet been done and the owner of the land, the Navy, hasn’t approved the plan.