Washington County, Md., officials are rebidding waste and recycling collections contracts after they say their current contractor Apple Valley Waste of Kearneysville, W.Va., proposed “excessive increases” in prices.

The Herald-Mail Media reports that the county awarded Apple Valley contracts last year that gave the county two one-year renewal options. However, according to the report, Apple Valley’s proposed increases include a 257 percent hike from the rate the county was expecting this fiscal year for recycling drop-off center services for cardboard.  

Herald-Mail Media has more:

Washington County officials are rebidding contracts for recycling and trash after they say the current contractor proposed excessive increases, including a 257% hike for one service.

Brandi Naugle, with the county’s purchasing department, cautioned the Washington County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday that rebidding the two contracts doesn’t guarantee a lower price.

If the new bids come in high, county officials might consider raising landfill fees for residents for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2020, Dave Mason, deputy director of solid waste, said in an interview. Mason said he wouldn’t ask the commissioners to increase landfill fees for the current fiscal year because the county is already selling permits.

Read the full article here.