It didn’t pass the first time around, but after a motion to reconsider, the legislature approved a resolution approving a five year, $5 million contract with GottaDo Contracting, LLC to transfer solid waste from the county’s two waste transfer stations. The same firm previously had a three year contract with the county for the service that is set to expire at the end of the year.
Before the resolution was voted on the first time, legislator Joe Isabel said he was not comfortable with the length of the contract.
“I just don’t like to do these contracts over our term of office or over the [executive’s] term of office,” said Isabel. “I think we should stay within our [term].”
Isabel said he would prefer a two year contract, but acknowledged that in some cases it might be necessary to sign a longer contract.
Isabel voted no on the resolution, and was joined by legislators John Duchessi and Roy Dimond. Because two other legislators, Ryan Weitz and Barbara Wheeler were absent, the resolution failed.
Legislature Chairman Terry Bieniek then asked if the legislators wanted to consider a shorter term.
However, County Attorney Meghan Manion said, “This went out to bid, and it was bid out at a five year term. So you can’t change the terms of what was bid on by resolution.”
Manion said the contract would have to be sent out again for bids for a shorter term.
Legislator Robert Purtell said he was in favor of the five year contract and added that there were three bidders for the contract, and that the new five-year contract was $150,000 per year less than the previous one. He also said that bringing the service in-house was not financially viable.
Duchessi then made a motion to reconsider the resolution. The legislators then voted unanimously to approve the contract.
