Junior Hilliard will file a lawsuit against Newton County, which recently voted to end its contract with Junior Hilliard General Services, operator of the county’s trash collection convenience centers.

The suit will be for a breach of contract, intentional and or negligent interference with the performance of the contract, malice, libel, slander and all damages arising therefrom, according to a letter filed by Hilliard’s attorney, Reed Edmondson.

The letter states the claim will exceed $3 million.

The notice to the Newton County Board of Commissioners (BOC) by the Conyers-based attorney was sent the same day that the board approved the termination of its contract with Junior Hilliard General Services by a 3-2 vote.

The contract will expire Feb. 5, leaving the centers closed if the Solid Waste Authority does not find an alternate option to keep all or some of the 11 centers open.

On Dec. 18, 2015, former Newton County Interim Manager Harry Owens sent a notification that the county’s contract with Junior Hilliard General Services would not be renewed and he was to be relieved of his services when the contract was set to expire on Feb. 9, 2016.

However, the terms of Hilliard’s contract are that it automatically renews for a five-year period, beginning Feb. 5, 2013, unless either party notifies the other 45 days in advance of the agreement’s expiration of intent not to renew.

That notice of non-renewal was given Nov. 15.

Hilliard provided personnel to operate and maintain each of the county’s 11 recycling and waste collection centers at a cost of $11.29 per hour, for each staff member.

During its budgeting process for fiscal year 2017, the BOC decided to begin charging residents to use the county’s trash collection convenience centers at $50 per vehicle, and to close the centers in February. That fee became mandatory on Oct. 25.