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WPEC-TV CBS12 News :: News - Treasure Coast News - Waste companies say no chance to bid for St. Lucie County contract

Waste companies say no chance to bid for St. Lucie County contract

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. -- Businesses and residents are upset as local leaders sign an exclusive contract with trash haulers. That contract was voted in Tuesday by St. Lucie County Commissioners without the opportunity for other companies to enter competitive bids.

This is not about poor service or exclusivity contracts, its that other businesses say they never even had a chance to bid on the contract. The good news is commercial prices for St. Lucie County customers are expected to drop with Waste Pro as the new exclusive hauler. The bad news, other waste companies say they never had a chance to submit a bid.

"We are very strong advocates of transparent open processes," said Patty Hamilton, Southern Waste Systems.

St. Lucie County commissioners today got an earful of objections.

"We haven't been treated fairly, we haven't been brought into the process," said Dave Unversaw, Republic Waster Services

"I think you have to take a real close look at what this clandestine cloak and shadows movement is to push this through without any notice, without talking to anybody, without wanting any input from the folks you work for called taxpayers," said Graham Wadell, Freedom Waste Services.

"I think always keeping an open bid process, always for everything you do here--because these decisions should be our decisions," said Mary Burton, St. Lucie County resident.

Major companies like Waste Management and Republic, left out of the exclusive deal, are upset they were never even given an opportunity to compete. They call it politics at work.

"All this seems very fishy, I don't like it. I don't like monopolies."

Commissioners disagree.

"The majority of people complaining have gone through no bid processes in neighboring counties. So we have a very competent and capable staff and the deal put forward is the best for St. Lucie County residents," said Commissioner Chris Craft, St. Lucie County commissioners.

The Waste Pro Exclusive proposal was announced Friday. The contract voted on Tuesday.

Waste Pro will hold the exclusive contract for the next two years with an option to re-up for five more, according to the county commission vote today.

The agreement goes into effect in October. Waste Pro says they are offering service at prices below what many other counties pay.Waste companies say no chance to bid for St. Lucie County contract

Tuesday, May 1 2012, 02:34 PM EDT

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