Commissioners approve up to $50,000 more for landfill rock to finish June work

Cowlitz County Public Works told the Board of Commissioners the county’s current contract for landfill rock is nearly exhausted and asked permission to spend up to $50,000 more under the existing contract to complete June work ahead of a new contract that starts July 1.

Public Services Director Mike Moss explained that the county’s contract for landfill rock carries a $365,000 cap and that heavy use this year has brought the contract close to that limit. "We're doing some major moves up there with our tippers, realigning some roads," Moss said, adding the county hopes to move three tippers in the next three to four weeks and needs rock this month to regrade and stabilize roads.

The board indicated consent for Public Works to proceed with up to $50,000 in additional rock purchases under the current contract and noted the department had already put the next fiscal-year solicitation out for bid and increased anticipated tonnage for the new contract. Public Works staff said the extra rock is within budget and was needed to prepare base layers and place mats and filter fabric before material is lost into the fill.

Public Works clarified that some reclaimed rock can be reused onsite but that rock already in the fill cannot be removed because of contamination concerns. The department said it will proceed to secure the needed rock in June and complete the planned tipper moves and road realignment work.

No formal resolution or ordinance was drafted during the meeting; the requirement was handled as an administrative approval on the department’s contract spending limit for the month.