The county's contract with Allied Waste to operate the transfer station is about to get a sequel.

Cherokee County Interim Administrator Ben Clary said it appears the county will agree to extend its contract with Allied Waste.

The county had sought bids to operate the transfer station, but Waste Management was the only other waste disposal company to submit a bid. The county's 10-year contract with Allied Waste expires this year. The current contract can be extended for either five years or a series of five 1-year deals.

Clary said the Waste Management bid "wasn't as good" as its contract with Allied Waste.

"We just wanted to see if we could get a better deal," said Cherokee County Councilman Bailey Humphries, who chairs the county's public works committee. "There wasn't a savings by going with Waste Management."

Under the current agreement, Allied Waste has waived its tipping fee for the county. But the county must shell out an overage fee if it exceeds its monthly cap of 1,625 tons.

Clary said the county is getting closer to its monthly cap.

But Allied Waste has agreed to drop its monthly cap in favor a yearly cap, which should lessen the chance the county would pay an overage fee, Humphries said.

"It's a very good deal for the county," Humphries said.