Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rutherford County transfer station nears completion; county targets July 1 opening
Summary
County officials said construction of the new transfer station is nearly finished, with water and sewer connections, final inspections and a final walkthrough scheduled in April. The facility is under budget and staff plans to set rates and an operating budget ahead of an on-or-before July 1 operational date in the construction contract.
Director Wagner told the Property Management Committee the county’s new transfer station is approaching completion and staff expects to finish testing and punch-list work in April, with a target to begin operations on or before July 1 under the contract.
“The concrete has been completed. The grade and landscaping are in their final stages. The water and sewer connections are nearing completion,” Wagner said, adding that the county planned to set the water meter and begin testing on April 7 and to conduct final punch-list walkthroughs the week of April 14. He said the office building already has flooring in place and the scale house interior painting and trim work are complete.
Wagner described site work on the Jefferson Pike tie-in, noting Hawkins and Price and TDOT coordination for the state highway connection and a planned removal of a small island at the entry to create a full intersection. He said stormwater structures have been installed to control drainage to adjacent properties.
On oversight and inspections, Wagner said the county already has an active permit and expects an inspection schedule that will likely begin quarterly and then move to semiannual inspections, similar to landfill oversight. “I think initially, we probably will be seen quarterly, and then it’ll go to probably every half a year, pending any complaints,” he said.
Commissioners asked about budget and operations. Wagner said the project is “significantly under budget” and that staff is working with the mayor’s office and department finance staff to draft operating budgets and rate structures. He said he will provide a multi-year operating estimate when sufficient data is available; the commission asked specifically for an early five-year operating projection.
Wagner also highlighted a county cost-saving: staff are repurposing metal awnings from the site for use at a truck-washing station at the Landfill Road shop, which he estimated will save about $22,000 in taxpayer dollars.
Why it matters: The transfer station will change how solid-waste customers are served and create a new county-operated facility that requires staff, rates and an operating budget. Commissioners signaled interest in early operating-cost projections so the facility can be budgeted appropriately.
Ending: Wagner said the county expects to complete final testing and punch-list items in April and will proceed with operational planning ahead of the contract’s July 1 target date.
