Lynn Schenkman

Pompano Beach, Fla. — The South Florida

Sun-Sentinel

is reporting that Waste Management Inc., Houston, is offering to settle a dispute of overbilling for $18.5 million with the city of Pompano Beach. The offer calls for a $5 million signing bonus and a $750,000 annual rebate for 18 years beginning in 2004. The agreement would extend the hauling contract to 2014 and the disposal contract to 2022. The city commission will, in return, not ask for hauling and disposal bids from other companies. Pompano Beach and three other towns filed a $34 million suit claiming Waste Management overcharged for landfilled waste that was meant to be recycled or composted.