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Show Burn Plant policy on Weber collection irks local haulers By CHERIE HUBER FARMINGTON The difference differ-ence in tipping fees between garbage gar-bage haulers from Weber County and Davis County was the main topic of discussion at the county f burn plant's administrative board meeting last week, and it may become be-come a legal problem before long. At least one hauler from Davis County, BFI Waste Systems, hinted that it may seek legal action if discrepancies in tipping fees between be-tween the two counties aren't somehow resolved. Dale Lambert, attorney for BFI Waste Systems, approached the board about that company's questions ques-tions and concerns with the Board's proposed agreement with haulers in Weber County. Haulers frQm Davis County are paying $13 a ton tipping fee now, which in January will raise to $20 per ton, while BFI had heard that several from Weber County will be charged only $5.50. Mr. Lambert told the Board that he and his client had two concerns. First, they feel it is unfair to the citizens, the businesses; the property prop-erty owners and the haulers in Davis County to pay $20 per ton when right across the line haulers can get into the burn plant for $5.50 with garbage that previously was going to Weber County. At that point, Mayor Richard McKenzie of Layton interrupted him to say that the burn plant needs the garbage for a check-out period of up to six months. Mr. Lambert continued by saying that there should be equal treatment under the law for all competitors and it is not equal treatment to charge some only about ab-out 25 percent of what others have to pay. He said that this will have a serious effect on the market place. If the board were a private business, busi-ness, he said, there could be serious se-rious antitrust law violations. Mr. Lambert gave the board several sev-eral suggestions on how to get enough garbage without affecting the businesses in Davis County. First, he said, the board should look at Davis County. He said he has reason to believe not all haulers in the county are going to the burn plant. He said he would encourage monitoring of all haulers. The first move should be very strict enforcement. enforce-ment. Secondly, he asked that the board consider fairness and consideration con-sideration for all haulers in the county. Despite the appeal by Mr. Lambert, Lam-bert, the board a short time later held a closed executive session on a special rate to Weber County haulers. A motion was carried that for the interim test period, length of which was left open, Weber County Coun-ty haulers be charged $5.50. Jeanne Babin, district manager for BFI, was present at the board meeting but was not asked to make any comments. In a separate interview she said that contracts for commercial , accounts are usually signed for " from one to three years. Most of her accounts will be coming up for renewal in the next six months. Many of the accounts have already switched to other haulers who she believes are not dumping in Davis County at the $20 a ton rate and are instead hauling their garbage to Salt Lake or to the BARD. She said she felt that her company com-pany was being penalized by obeying the law and if other haulers could underbid her for six months she could lose every contract. Haulers from Weber County would be saving $4 a ton over what it would cost to dump in Weber County. After the Board said that they would allow Weber haulers to dump at $5.50, she indicated that BFI was considering taking legal action against the burn plant board. |