CSRA Waste President Kester Uzochukwu, whose company controls more than 70 percent of city-run garbage service, stands accused of using his Richmond County landfill exemption to avoid tipping fees for his private contracts. He was arrested in November and indicted last month on a felony theft of services charge, which carries a sentence of 10 years imprisonment or probation.

During their Tuesday meeting, commissioners spent nearly two hours in a closed-door session discussing legal matters, including the city's contract with CSRA Waste.

When they emerged from executive session, officials came out on two sides of the garbage contract issue: those in favor of firing CSRA Waste and relying on a bonding company for emergency trash service, and those opposed to a contract termination until a more detailed "contingency plan" could be put in place.

Both motions died, lacking the six votes needed to pass.

Every contractor that does business with the city is required to retain a bonding company, essentially insuring the city against breaches of contract by providing money in the event a hauler cannot perform.

City Attorney Jim Wall said the bond company is the city's contingency plan, and commissioners in favor of terminating the contract supported his ruling.

"If we can get ready for a snowstorm with a day's notice, I think we can handle this," Commissioner Steve Shepard said. "I think we cannot fail to act."

Dissenting commissioners said that although they do not support wrongdoing, they needed assurance that service to homeowners and payment to subcontractors would not be interrupted by a contract termination.

"We have to have some kind of plan," Commissioner Lee Beard said.

"Why would a subcontractor (provide service) for a contractor that's not going to be there tomorrow? They have not threatened to do that, but there comes a time when someone has to look out for their livelihood," Mr. Beard said.

Reach Heidi Coryell Williams at (706) 823-3215.