04/07/17  Cleveland County Solid Waste May Open Bids On New Contract

 

Cleveland County Judge Gary Spears says he intends to put Cleveland County's solid waste contract out for bid in May. The contract with the City of Rison is coming to an end and the judge says he wants to explore what other options are available.

Spears made the announcement at the Cleveland County Quorum Court meeting on Monday night. The City of Rison's five-year contract with Waste Management is scheduled to end at the end of this year. There is an option to continue for another five years. Since it can take a company up to six months to get the canisters and other equipment in place for a new service area, Spears told the court that he thought it would be best to consider new bids in May to allow the contractor enough time to get things in place before a new contract would begin in 2018.

Cleveland County pays all solid waste costs within the county using the voter approved 2 cent sales tax. Cleveland County and the City of Rison have separate contracts, the county with an unsigned agreement with Get Rid of It of El Dorado and Rison with Waste Management.

According to Spears the  county has the right to accept or reject any and all bids.