Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste Transfer Station topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Todd County approves equipment purchases, hires and software for new transfer station; MPCA funding expected
Summary
The county approved elimination of a lead operator position, authorized hiring of a truck driver, awarded a $35,680 bid for drop bins and approved a $31,592.29 software upgrade for the new transfer station; officials said they expect MPCA grant disbursements totaling about $2.795 million and that paving at the new facility is imminent.
Todd County commissioners on June 3 approved several solid waste measures to support a new transfer station and environmental center, including staff changes, equipment purchases and a software upgrade.
The board voted to eliminate the lead equipment operator position and to authorize the hiring of one full-time truck driver, both steps made by the Solid Waste Department to align staffing with a projected August 2025 opening of the new facility. The board also approved the purchase of product drop bins from Jenkins Iron for $35,680 and the Waste Works software upgrade for $31,592.29.
Solid Waste Manager Mike (last name not specified) told commissioners the new operations technician position budgeted for 2025 will replace the lead equipment operator and provide enhanced administrative support to meet new transfer station permit requirements. He said the truck driver position is budgeted and will help with staffing shortages for commercial operations and collections. On the purchase of drop bins, staff said Jenkins Iron’s bid of $35,680 was selected over an alternate bid from Protainer (approximately $36,750) because Jenkins had no steel surcharge and shorter lead time.
On software, Mike described the Waste Works upgrade as necessary for kiosk operations and license-plate recognition at both residential and commercial scales; commissioners were told the purchase is budgeted from fund 51 and capital grant funding. Mike also updated the board on construction: curb and gutter and concrete work are nearly complete, paving is expected within three weeks, and remote bin site improvements in Bertram will begin shortly.
Commissioners discussed grant timing. Mike reported he had recent correspondence with Jeanne Givens at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and said MPCA was processing pay requests for the county’s $2,795,000 grant; he said staff expected an initial pay request disbursement of roughly $1,065,000 to arrive “shortly,” though no firm date was given. Representative Wiener also texted to confirm the MPCA follow-through, according to staff.
All actions taken at the June 3 meeting were approved by roll call or voice vote as recorded in the meeting minutes. The solid waste measures are budgeted through the county’s fund 51 and the capital grant. Staff will proceed with hiring and procurement steps and report progress to the board.
Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are those who spoke during the June 3 Todd County Board of Commissioners meeting and are listed in the speakers section below.
