Committee hears bill to convey state portion of Jackson County landfill for county wastewater project

Representative Leitner told the House Appropriations Committee her bill would convey the state-owned portion of a Jackson County landfill to the county, removing the need for periodic contracts or permissions for the county to access and maintain the entire fenced landfill area.

Leitner said the county currently spends about $150,000 annually on environmental upkeep and leachate transport. Jackson County officials told the committee the county plans to construct a reverse-osmosis wastewater treatment plant on-site, powered in part by solar arrays placed on the landfill. The county said constructing the plant would eliminate the recurring costs to transport leachate off-site.

A county representative said the county borrowed roughly $2.1 million about two years ago to move the project forward; committee discussion noted urgency because carrying the loan without expending funds can raise arbitrage concerns. The county estimates it transports about 10,000 gallons per week of leachate to an off-site treatment location and that annual transportation costs are “just over $100,000,” though the exact ongoing operations cost of the new plant would be paid from the county general fund.

Committee members confirmed that the county currently handles leachate cleanup and that conveyance of the state portion would formalize county responsibility and remove the need for periodic written agreements. Neil D’Souza remained present as DTMB’s representative and county officials answered technical and financing questions. No formal committee vote occurred during the hearing; members asked for follow-up documentation as needed.