OLDHAM FISCAL COURT REFUSES TO PASS INCREASE IN FEE REQUESTED BY INDUSTRIAL DISPOSAL

On March 3, 2009 the Oldham County Fiscal Court took a courageous stance and a common sense approach to the question of the proposed garbage fee. They decided by a seven to two vote to send the proposed fee increase back to the Utilities committee for further negotiation. The problem is that the two members of fiscal court who voted against sending the issue back make up the majority of that committee. Hopefully they will understand that they received a “mandate” from the other members of the court to renegotiate the fee downward.

Originally the county signed a five-year contract with Industrial Disposal (ID) to collect the garbage in Oldham County. The contract contained language that allowed ID a fee increase in year four and year five of the contract. No other increases in the fees were provided for. However, at the urging of Magistrate Rick Rash, a recipient of campaign funds from ID, on two different occasions the fiscal court granted fee increases to ID which amounted to a total of six percent. The reason for requesting those increases was to offset the spike in the price of diesel fuel. Both times the increases were granted notwithstanding that the contract did not require them. The court was simply being sensitive to the requests of ID.

This being the fifth year of the contract, a fee increase was provided for and the increase was to be based on the CPI. However, since the cost of diesel fuel has been substantially reduced it was the feeling of the majority of fiscal court that ID should consider giving up their fee increase. This would offset the prior fee increases granted to offset the price increase for fuel.

The two magistrates who voted to give ID the fee increase without further negotiation were Bob Diebel and Rick Rash. Rash appeared to be very distraught when the court voted to send the issue back to the utilities committee for further negotiation. For whatever reason Magistrate Rash always seems to be “carrying the water” for ID. It will be interesting to see his position when the time comes for the county to let the trash contract out for bids. The current contract expires on January 31, 2010.

Frankly, I was extremely pleased to see some meaningful discussion on an issue by members of the court. It seemed as though six magistrates and the judge were looking out for the best interests of the people. I commend them for that.

The county may have to give ID the fee increase in the end but ID will know that the court is aware that ID was not willing to be considerate of their customers. In fairness to ID it did appear that they were willing to continue negotiating the contract.