Advanced Disposal is legally obligated to notify the county when it decides to increase the tonnage rate at the transfer centers.On July 5th, FYN reported an increase at waste disposal transfer centers. The price per ton went from $47 to $49. Owner of Wells Waste Greg Wells told FYN that he received notification of the increase on June 14th. The notification stated the increase would be effective June 16th, a 48 hour notice. Billy at Backdoor Sanitation said he found out about the increase only when he saw the sign stating the increase at the transfer center.
In January, 2009, Advanced Disposal signed a contract with Gilmer County. In the third amendment on page three, the contract requires a 60-day notification for all price increases at transfer centers:

“Company (Advanced Disposal) acknowledges that the current tonnage rate to discard construction and demolition debris and bulk items is $47 per ton. During and after the Transition period, Company (Advanced Disposal) agrees that prior to any increase in said rate during the term of Agreement, Company (Advanced Disposal) will submit to County (Gilmer) 60 days in advance, adequate documentation substantiating and justifying any proposed increase in the tonnage rate.”

This means that Advanced Disposal is legally obligated to notify the county when it decides to increase the tonnage rate at the transfer centers. According to the contract, though, Advanced is not legally obligated to notify private waste carriers of increases.
FYN has contacted two Gilmer County commissioners regarding this matter. Neither commissioner was aware of the increase. FYN also contacted Community Affairs Manager for Advanced Disposal Marcie Kreager. We asked if the county received a 60 day notice about the increase. Mrs. Kreager, who signed the contract, told us,

“The contract is for collection of compacted waste from county operated citizen convenience centers.”

However, in the third paragraph of page one, the contract states,

“the Company (Advanced Disposal) has agreed to accept the construction and demolition debris and bulk items at Company’s (Advanced Disposal’s) Progress Road Transfer Station (hereinafter referred to as ‘Transfer Station’), to adequately staff and extend the operation hours of the Transfer Station, to allow the County (Gilmer) to elect to accept construction and demolition debris and bulk items again at the Gilmer County Landfill, to reduce the minimum charge for construction and demolition debris and bulk items to $10.00, to provide documentation to substantiate any increase in the tonnage rate charged by Company (Advanced Disposal) at the Transfer Station, and to allow the County (Gilmer) to operate or engage separately for a recycling program.”

The convenience centers are operated by the county, but the transfer center is operated by Advanced Disposal.
FYN has asked two county commissioners if the county received a 60-day notification of the increase. FYN is awaiting a response from the county and will continue to follow this story as it develops.