Commissioners discuss feasibility of convenience center in Big Sandy after Solid Waste committee action

Commissioners spent several minutes in the commissioner forum discussing plans the county Solid Waste Committee reported for a potential convenience center on the north end of Benton County, near Big Sandy.

Commissioner Jerry Price, who represents the Sixth District, read minutes from the Solid Waste Committee meeting that described multiple candidate parcels and reported that the committee had moved and passed a motion authorizing the county mayor to negotiate an option to purchase a parcel in Big Sandy for a convenience center, contingent on securing grant funding. Price said the committee’s motion passed unanimously and added that the purchase was contingent upon successful grant acquisition.

Committee members and commissioners said the committee’s action was exploratory, intended to position the county to apply for a state convenience-center grant that opens next May with a June 30 application deadline. The committee had discussed potential site requirements including fencing, employee shelter, utilities, gated access, and the facility being manned when open; one commissioner described the planned facility as having a “300 by 300 chain link fence” and cameras for security. The Solid Waste Committee brief noted concern about traffic visibility, adjacent property-owner opposition and zoning, and suggested that grant eligibility would require planning ahead and securing options on parcels.

Several commissioners said the topic should proceed through the normal committee-to-full-commission process and voiced a desire for more local outreach and a formal feasibility study. Commissioner King said, “I’d like to see a feasibility study before you go forward,” noting questions about long-term operating costs and whether Waste Management’s contract affects county responsibilities. Commissioners and committee members clarified that convenience centers would be county-owned and manned (not part of Waste Management’s contract) and that the state program often covers equipment, fencing and setup; the county would be responsible for staffing and transport to the landfill once the grant-funded setup was in place.

No action to authorize purchase or funding was taken by the full commission at this meeting. Committee members said they would continue identifying possible parcels and return recommendations, cost estimates and a feasibility analysis to the commission before any purchase or appropriation request.