Silver State says it owes $200,000 in unpaid fees

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 1998 | 1:18 a.m.

Silver State has agreed to hire an independent auditor to find out precisely how much its medical waste subsidiary failed to pay in franchise fees

Environmental Technologies was formed in 1991, but has not paid Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson or Clark County such fees since, as it was required to do.

The problem came to light last week during a Clark County District Court hearing on a motion filed against Silver State by Browning Ferris Industries. Hoping to enter the Las Vegas market, Houston-based BFI argued that Silver State's franchise does not include exclusive rights to collect medical waste.

Judge Stephen Huffaker rejected BFI's plea but admonished the city for what he called a poorly written franchise that does not spell out what types of waste are covered. He criticized officials for failing to collect medical waste franchise fees from Silver State while arguing medical waste is part of the company's franchise.

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