New Tulsa City Councilor Blake Ewing Digs Into Trash Board Contract

A Tulsa City Councilor pushed for clarification on the roles and responsibilities for trash service, as the largely independent TARE board prepares to award a new bid for pickup and disposal. 

"We wanted to clarify all the miscommunication and the misunderstandings and the misinformation and give people some accurate facts that they can start forming an opinion around," said Councilor Blake Ewing.

In the new City Council's first public meeting on the topic, several councilors tried to clarify the limited role the City Council has in shaping the new contract. TARE Board chairwoman Cheryl Cohenour told them almost all the decisions will be made by TARE, and the council will be asked to approve underlying ordinances that support those decisions.

Several councilor asked the board to make a better effort to communicate what is changing, and why.

TARE Board member Randy Sullivan said there was intentionally a gap in providing information lately because: "The TARE board was bound in a realm of secrecy because of the bidding process."  

11/3/2011 Related Story: Tulsa City Council Fails To Strip TARE Authority

The TARE Board is currently evaluating 28 combinations of service from eight distinct bidders, including the current private contract hauler, TRI. The new contract will be for 10 years, with two possible 2-year extensions.

It's estimated to be worth $120 million. 

Sullivan said the board was leaning towards a once a week pickup for both trash and recycling, with a twice a week option for an additional fee. Back yard service and extra carts would also incur an extra fee. 

Ewing urged TARE to be more aggressive in clarifying that the changes are intended to be an improvement in the current service.

"Right now so much of the opinion on trash is based on knee jerk reactions and the first emotions of the moment," he said.

TARE could award the bid as early as next week. The new contract hauler will start service July 1.