The idea of taking bids for one countywide waste provider began with previous director Denny Harris, who conducted extensive research with other counties and their contracts.
Fiscal court asked Johnson to find all the paperwork and present the idea once again to the court.
Johnson handed out the 12-page contract that gave a descriptive overview, including terms and responsibilities of prospective bidders from collections, payments and billing to recycling services, insurance requirements and customer service.
Logan County currently has two main providers, Waste Management and Scott. According to Magistrate Jo Orange, the proposal would not only cut down on truck traffic in the county and cities, but also provide a lower price by making the service competitive.
The plan is still in its early stages, and Johnson is in the process of organizing a committee made up of the four cities' mayors, along with county representation.
"You need to go through this and come back with changes you feel need to be made," said Johnson to the court. "This is just the first step towards this plan." Judge/Executive John Guion urged the court to look closely at the plan, saying it was big decision.
One of the specifics in the contract requires the awarded bidder to take the county's waste to the Logan County Landfill. Magistrates Dickie Carter and Harold Prince thought that specification should be removed.
"I think that straps down the provider," said Carter, who added, "They may be able to take the trash somewhere cheaper."
Prince stated that if the contract didn't require taking the trash to Logan's landfill, it would save room there for future waste.
"If we don't require this, we will lose revenue," said Johnson, who added that Logan County is lucky to have its own landfill.
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