County solid-waste staff propose grinder to cut hauling costs as transfer-station hauling rates rise
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Summary
Solid-waste staff argued buying a wood-grinder and running more local processing could reduce expensive hauling to out-of-county facilities; the board discussed lease vs. buy and payback scenarios tied to fewer truck trips.
Teton County solid-waste staff presented options to reduce hauling costs and extend landfill life by investing in on-site grinding and processing equipment. Staff said hauling costs and future tipping fees are expected to rise as the county integrates new transfer-station operations and as the new regional facility’s operating costs become clearer.
Staff presented an analysis showing recent days when trucks left half-empty and the cost per truck trip; they said an on-site grinder could reduce outbound truck trips, cut annual hauling costs (examples cited: $2,000 saved on a week with two avoidable trips), and may approach payback in a few years depending on how much material is diverted from off-site shipment.
Options discussed included a $310,000 lease alternative (with $3.10k/year type payment referenced on the transcript), a multi-year buyout approach that could eliminate the lease after four years, or contracting for grinds. Commissioners and staff flagged the need for detailed tonnage modeling and a conservative payback schedule before committing capital funds.
Staff also reviewed other solid-waste items in the budget: the franchise fee and per-parcel solid-waste tax that fund facility operations, reserve targets (staff mentioned a savings target/reserve policy), and a loan payoff that should reduce future debt service.
Ending: Commissioners asked solid-waste staff to return with a clearer financial model showing expected annual hauling reductions, conservative payback timelines for the grinder and lease buyout scenarios, and the effect on tipping fees and reserves.