Tulsa's Refuse Hauler Files Suit Against Trash Board

The City of Tulsa's current trash hauler has filed suit against the trash board. In its lawsuit, Tulsa Refuse, Inc. claims the Tulsa Authority for the Recovery of Energy (TARE) violated the open records act twice as it prepared to award a new bid for trash service.

The contract is estimated to be worth $120 million. The board is evaluating options from eight bidders including TRI.

Earlier this month, new Tulsa City Councilors met with TARE officials and asked the largely independent board to make a better effort to communicate what changes the public is likely to see.

TARE Board member Randy Sullivan told councilors that there was gap in providing information because the board "was bound in a realm of secrecy because of the bidding process."

12/13/2011 Related Story: New Tulsa City Councilor Blake Ewing Digs Into Trash Board Contract

TRI alleges in its lawsuit that the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act was violated on two separate occasions as the TARE board worked to put together bid specifications for residential refuse collection.

At last word they are leaning towards a once-a-week pickup for both trash and recycling, with a twice-a-week option for an extra fee.

The new contract hauler will start service July 1, 2012.