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Finance committee approves recommendation for bond reimbursement to cover landfill PFAS work
Summary
Kent County Finance Committee approved a recommendation that would allow the county to reimburse prior expenses from proceeds of a refuse disposal system bond for work at three county landfills, and staff said design for PFAS treatment will cost about $1.2 million to reach a 75% design and establish a guaranteed maximum price.
The Kent County Board of Commissioners Finance Committee voted to recommend that the full Board approve a resolution allowing the county and the Department of Public Works to reimburse expenses paid before issuance of a refuse disposal system bond (as read at the meeting). The resolution covers work at three county landfills — Kentwood, North Kent and South Kent — with a stated not‑to‑exceed amount of $11,000,000 in bond proceeds identified during the committee discussion.
Dar, a Department of Public Works staff member who responded to questions from commissioners, told the committee the project will treat PFAS in leachate and groundwater at several sites and that the design‑build contract is structured in phases. “Phase 1 is about $1,200,000 to do the design of the treatment facilities and equipment,” Dar said. He said a 75% design will allow staff to develop a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and return with a final recommendation to the Board of Public Works and then to the Board of Commissioners for financing approval.
Committee members sought clarity on costs and schedule. Dar said the $1.2 million estimate is an upfront design cost; once the 75% design is complete, staff will know a GMP and decide whether to proceed. He noted the county’s usual capital spending context: “our budget going into 2026 is $70,000,000” for various equipment and projects, and that this PFAS work represents a scale and type of infrastructure the county has not previously built.
The motion to recommend the bond reimbursement resolution passed at the Finance Committee with the committee's recorded voice vote of “aye” and no named dissents in the transcript. The Board of Commissioners will consider the formal bond resolution and financing later in the process.
