HOUSTON -- There’s a new twist in the shaky relationship between Enterprise Rent-a-Car and Harris County.

AP photo

Enterprise blames customers for toll fine.

Commissioners decided Tuesday to award a $973,160 annual contract to the car leasing company even though the two sides are in a legal battle. County attorneys say Enterprise owes nearly $2 million in unpaid tolls, fines and attorney fees. The car company, however, blames its customers who don’t pay their tolls, and the company says it shouldn’t be held responsible for the bill.

Two weeks ago commissioners refused to do business with Enterprise because of the money owed, but that all changed Tuesday morning. The company’s bid to provide cars came in more than $171,000 dollars less than the next highest bidder.  That’s every year on a 5-year contract. It was apparently enough money to sway commissioners to keep ties with Enterprise.  The vote was 3 to 2.

The $2 million is mostly fines and attorney fees. The actual amount of unpaid tolls is between $30,000 and $60,000.