Jefferson County solid waste moves to buy landfill dozer; staff weigh tipping-fee changes for out-of-county haulers

Jefferson County commissioners approved the purchase of a replacement landfill dozer and heard a broader update on solid-waste operations, including proposals to adjust out-of-county tipping fees.

The board voted to purchase a Caterpillar D6 (landfill package) from Western States CAT for $475,569. Commissioners moved and seconded the purchase during the meeting; the clerk recorded the roll-call vote and directed staff to issue a purchase order. Solid-waste staff said the new dozer has landfill-specific guards and that the county's existing machine is old and nearing the end of useful life; staff plan to redeploy the older machine to other county work when the dozer arrives.

Why it matters: The landfill dozer is a capital-equipment purchase budgeted for the coming year; staff said the machine is needed to maintain operations and reduce maintenance downtime caused by older equipment.

Tipping-fee discussion: Solid-waste staff reported benchmarking of regional rates and said Jefferson County's current out-of-county tipping fee (reported in the meeting as $40 per ton) is substantially lower than some nearby jurisdictions (examples given in staff remarks: Bonneville $120/ton for out-of-county, Madison $100/ton, and a regional landfill proposal at $87/ton that would limit direct hauler access). Staff and commissioners discussed whether to adopt a flat fee for commercial haulers or change County Line fees to better reflect transport and operational costs; the goal expressed was to reduce cross-county hauling that occurs when haulers take trash to the county landfill rather than closer transfer stations. Staff also said the county's out-of-county volumes are changing as new facilities open nearby.

Supporting details: Solid-waste staff reported that cell 5 of the landfill is at grade and described short-term work to get cover and planting in place. Staff also reported equipment issues including a water-wagon engine problem under investigation and that a new mechanic had started. The department also reviewed comparative can/collection rates charged by local haulers.

Discussion versus decision: The dozer purchase was approved by formal motion and roll-call vote. No immediate change to tipping fees was adopted; staff recommended further evaluation and possibly a separate later action to revise fees at both landfill sites to reduce incentive for out-of-county hauling.

Ending note: Solid-waste staff will return with any fee-change proposals and continue to implement the dozer purchase and equipment repairs.