Contract dispute splits Centennial, Arapahoe County

Ivan Moreno, Rocky Mountain News

Published September 6, 2007 at midnight

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Centennial apparently has not renewed its contract with Arapahoe County for public works and sheriff's services, drawing the ire of county officials, who want the city to pay up.

In one instance, the 6-year- old city was short by $4,167 on a payment for July services, which prompted the county to send a letter similar to what people receive from collection agencies.

"Arapahoe County does not waive this default and breach, and will seek remedies and damages to which it is legally entitled," reads the Sept. 4 letter about the $2,181,750 bill for the month of July.

Commissioner Jim Dyer said that the county has provided public works and sheriff's services to Centennial on a month-to-month basis since the city's contract expired Dec. 31, 2006. Despite repeated requests by the county to negotiate a long-term agreement, Centennial has given no response, Dyer said.

But Centennial Mayor Randy Pye said Wednesday that the city's contract with the county has not expired.

"I think Commissioner Dyer may not fully understand the (Intergovernmental Agreement), if that is what is he saying," he said.

A letter sent by the county to Pye and the Centennial City Council on Aug. 29 says the contract expired Dec. 31, 2006.

"They don't have any agreement with anyone to do anything whatsoever," Dyer said. "That's the problem."

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