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Meeker County commissioners reject landfill operator bids, plan new RFP to pursue sale
Summary
After receiving three proposals for operation of the Litchfield-area landfill and transfer station, Meeker County commissioners voted to reject all submissions and direct staff to issue a new request to solicit offers to purchase the site; commissioners cited potential savings, closure costs and regulatory requirements in their deliberations.
Meeker County commissioners voted Tuesday to reject three proposals to operate the county landfill and transfer station in Litchfield and directed staff to issue a new request for proposals focused on selling the site.
The decision came after Land Use Director Greg Schultz summarized options the board considered earlier this year, including issuing an RFP for a new operator, the county operating the site with county staff, selling the landfill, or continuing with the current contractor. Schultz told the board that three proposals arrived in June from Innovative Resource Recovery, MWS Logistics and Stockman Trucking; one bidder indicated a serious interest in purchasing the site.
Why it matters: county officials said the proposals prompted renewed consideration of selling the property because one firm appeared prepared to buy the site while others offered operational savings. Commissioners noted potential long-term costs if the county retained responsibility for demolition debris operations, including required capping and environmental controls under state rules.
Schultz said the county will not accept the three June proposals and plans to issue a new RFP in mid-August that would be open for about a month; staff expects to return to the board with results around mid-September. "We wouldn't accept any of the proposals that were submitted at this time, and we're probably gonna explore and send out RFP sometime in August for the purchase of a site," Schultz said.
Board members discussed potential closure and remediation costs if the county continued to operate the demolition cell. The county estimated the cost to cap and close the demolition area could range from about $1.5 million to $3.5 million; the demolition portion of the property is roughly 13–14 acres, while the total parcel is about 43 acres. Schultz told commissioners the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) would set closure requirements, including whether liners or leachate systems are required.
Commissioners also noted local service implications if other demolition sites close: the county would retain the transfer station for mixed solid waste and recycling, but demolition debris providers may need to travel farther if regional demolition facilities reduce capacity. Commissioners said they will weigh public access, price stability and closure obligations in any sale or contract terms.
Formal action: Commissioner Samtke moved to reject the proposals received for operation of the landfill and transfer station; Commissioner Oberg seconded. The board adopted the motion by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will prepare an RFP focused on sale options (and, if that does not produce a purchase, an operator RFP), set a price discussion before issuing the solicitation, and return to the board with responses. Schultz said the planned timetable is to issue the sale RFP in mid-August, keep it open about a month, and have a mid-September discussion with the board.
Context and background: county staff previously sought buyers for the site two years ago with no resulting offers. The current RFP process began after vendors contacted the county in April and May with proposals that suggested potential savings compared with the current contract operator (Endurance). The site in question was described by staff as "6370 120 Third Street, Litchfield, Parcel 090315001."
