Judge Stops Tulsa Trash Board From Awarding Contract

A Tulsa County Judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking Tulsa's trash board from awarding a contract for residential trash service.

12/17/2011 Related Story: Tulsa's Refuse Hauler Files Suit Against Trash Board

It's stalled what was already a last minute deal. The current trash hauler went to court - and won Thursday's round.

Their attorney says he's pleased, the city isn't commenting. Tulsa's trash service is certain to change when the current contract for the job ends next June.

A private company called TRI has the contract now, but could lose it based on lower bids from several competitors.

They've managed to delay the awarding of the contract by taking the trash board to court. TRI claims the trash board violated the open meetings act - and a judge will hear the case January 23, 2012.

Meanwhile the chair of the City Council criticized the trash board for just now asking them to approve the purchase of trash carts - estimated at more than $15 million dollars.

The trash board waited because they didn't believe the former council would ever agree.

"That was the response we got from the previous council. Sometimes you just don't beat your head against the wall, after 5 or 6 times you get smart and don't try it," said TARE board member Steve Berlin.

Even though the board is months behind schedule to award the contract, and facing a deadline for a potentially new hauler to build the system, councilors were told they didn't have to approve anything yet.

"There is always flexibility in a system and I personally don't feel threatened by a timeline and I don't think you should feel threatened or pressured by a timeline," said TARE board member Cheryl Cohenour.

The city council has met several times on the trash service - even though they have little control over the process.

Councilors have urged the TARE board to be more transparent so Tulsans can have confidence they'll get the best service at the best prices.

"I want the suspicion to go away, and I think suspicion goes away when excuses aren't made, but mistakes are owned up to," said Tulsa City Councilor Blake Ewing.

The new rates the TARE board is discussing range from within a dollar of the current price - to a high of ten dollars a month more - that's for people with the most trash.

he prices under the new system will be based on the size of trash can each person uses.

See potential trash rates