WEMIGA, Washington Co. alter contract for fuel prices

WASHINGTON — Washington County and WEMIGA Waste Management agreed to alter their contract to account for rising diesel prices after a meeting Tuesday morning.

“We’ve been $4.65 a gallon for a while now, and it’s definitely making an impact on us,” WEMIGA Waste Owner Lynn Whaley said during the company’s quarterly report to the Washington County Board of Supervisors in early April.

At the supervisor meeting on Tuesday, Whaley said prices had climbed above $5 since then, and showed no signs of coming down soon.

"We’re at an all time high right now,“ he said. ”Were we below $2.50 when we signed it? Yes we were … It was $1.80 or something.“

The addendum allows the waste management company to bill the county an added percentage to their current monthly rate, based on fuel prices at the time.

The prices will be based on the state average for the purpose of the contract. County Engineer Jacob Thorius said it would resemble many of his department’s contracts.

“We have certain contracts where there’s a price adjustment if it goes above a certain point,” he said. “Like for our salt, if it gets above a certain dollar amount, then there’s so much extra per ton that we pay. Right now we’re paying an extra $3 or $3.50 per ton because of fuel prices. So what they’re asking for is reasonable, you just need to figure out which price you’re going to set your basis on.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com