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Commissioner Gets Approval To Vote On Trash Contracts

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By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 19, 2007

TAMPA - County Commissioner Al Higginbotham can vote on a contentious trash issue the board might settle next month, the Florida Commission on Ethics has ruled.

The board issued a written opinion that Higginbotham would not derive any 'special' gain or loss if he voted on amending a county ordinance governing trash collections.

Higginbotham has been a vocal opponent of a longstanding agreement between Hillsborough County and three large trash hauling companies that grants them exclusive rights to transport residential and commercial trash.

A judge ruled this year that the agreement is unenforceable, and county officials have sought to strengthen a county ordinance so the three franchise haulers exclusively haul commercial waste, including construction debris.

Higginbotham's wife restores homes and has used both franchise and nonfranchise haulers to remove debris. He said he wanted to be sure he didn't have a voting conflict.

The ethics commission, in its Sept. 12 ruling, notes that Higginbotham's wife is one of up to 6,400 contractors in Hillsborough County. A pool of that size means Higginbotham wouldn't receive any privileges or financial gain if he votes on the ordinance changes, it says.

He said Tuesday that he was pleased with the ruling and glad it came before the commission vote on the matter. The issue has been deferred until a meeting in October.

Reporter Anthony McCartney can be reached at (813) 259-7616 or amccartney@tampatrib.com.

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