TAMPA, Florida -- Everyone remembers the goofy dance the Macarena. Who could forget President Bill "I didn't have sexual relations with that woman" Clinton. Everyone also remembers Francis McDormand, who won the Oscar that year as the barfing pregnant cop in the movie Fargo. What do all those things have in common? It was the last time Hillsborough County put the lucrative trash contract up for bid.
"It makes no sense. This kind of action gives government a bad name. All we're doing is checking the price and checking the service," says Hillsborough Commissioner Al Higginbotham, who is leading the charge to get bids on what will be a $500,000,000 deal.
But why should the current people keep the contract for years and years when maybe somebody else could get a bite of the apple and maybe do it cheaper?
"Let me say this: we have a 99 percent satisfaction," says Beth Leytham, a spokesperson for the haulers that have the contract now, Waste Management.
But now the pressure is on and some are saying the contract should be bid out. The current haulers just want a chance to lower the rate.
"We think a better approach is to take the next 90 days and renegotiate with the vendors. We sincerely believe we can reduce those costs," says Leytham.
Here's a good local perspective on how long it has been since the contract went out to bid. Take Raymond James Stadium as an example. Back in 1996, Raymond James Stadium wasn't here and the big issue was whether the community would pass a tax for its construction. Since that time, garbage haulers have not had to bid on a contract and have gone unchallenged by the county.
The Hillsborough County Commission is taking up the half billion dollar issue at their regular meeting on Wednesday, December 14.