The Macon County Board of Commissioners authorized a $97,000 contract amendment Thursday to McGill & Associates to continue design and bidding services for a proposed landfill expansion and to appropriate the same amount from the solid‑waste fund balance.

County staff and McGill representatives said initial bids on a revised landfill cell came in higher than budget estimates, prompting plan adjustments and additional design work. The amendment covers extra design tasks, prequalification modifications intended to increase local contractor participation, additional environmental permitting support, and work required to negotiate with the low bidder and re‑bid certain components. McGill told the board the original scope had an estimated maximum fee of $488,800 and the amendment raised an upper limit to $585,800 (the $97,000 increase).

County manager and staff said the alternative to constructing additional on‑site capacity would be hauling county waste to an outside facility; staff said bids and cost comparisons for hauling and tipping are underway and will be reported when available so the board can compare life‑cycle costs. Commissioners discussed urgency because of limited remaining airspace and said hauling would be an interim measure if needed.

Commissioner Young moved to amend McGill’s contract and appropriate $97,000 from the solid‑waste fund balance; Commissioner Shields seconded. The motion passed on a 5‑0 voice vote. County staff said the funds are appropriated to cover the “not to exceed” amounts in the amendment and that some of the work may not require the full amount if value engineering reduces costs. Staff also said they expect to have rebid results and hauling/tipping estimates to present at a future meeting.