Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners approve $1,279 purchase of tire changer for county landfill to separate rims and reduce disposal costs
Summary
Jefferson County commissioners approved purchase of a K-tool tire changer for the county landfill to remove rims from tires before disposal. County solid-waste staff argued the tool will reduce disposal tonnage costs and recover scrap value from rims.
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of a K-tool tire changer for the county landfill at a cost of $1,279.
Solid-waste staffer Brandy described the device and the operational need: county crews accept thousands of tires and currently pay disposal by the ton. "The cost of the rims, if you add that to the tire weight, it's pretty expensive because you pay by the ton," she said, arguing rims add weight that increases disposal costs; removing rims and recycling them can recover value.
Brandy and other staff said most incoming tires are car and light-truck tires that tire shops often take off rims by hand; semi rims are less common at the landfill. County staff noted Liberty Tire was charging approximately $3,400 per ton for tire disposal under the county's current contracts, making separation of metal wheels a potential cost-saver.
"I'll make a motion to purchase a K-tool tire changer for the landfill for a total of $1,279," a commissioner moved; the motion was seconded and passed on roll call.
Commissioners directed staff to proceed with procurement and to continue shipping tires in scheduled loads once volume thresholds are met. Staff also said they were preparing another outgoing shipment of tires and tracking the facility's inventory to stay under vendor limits for shipment scheduling.
Outcome: Purchase authorized; staff to implement device use at landfill operations.
