Solid waste superintendent proposes landfill cell and transfer‑station upgrades; bid opening set for Sept. 12

Jeff Waddier, solid waste superintendent, briefed the council on the landfill and transfer station capital plan and FY2026 budget on Aug. 12.

Waddier said the landfill has about 24 years of remaining life in the active 52‑acre footprint and that the city owns 330 total acres on the site. The division bought a new landfill compactor this year for roughly $900,000, he said, and routinely replaces major heavy equipment on a multi‑year schedule to preserve airspace efficiency.

The transfer‑station replacement project is out for bid with a scheduled bid opening on Sept. 12; the capital plan includes a new transfer station with dual scales and a new scale house. Waddier identified major FY2026 capital items: Cell 4 at roughly $2.6 million, a new loader for the transfer station (about $250,000), a new truck tractor ($150,000) and a transfer trailer (~$133,000). He also referenced a possible transfer station improvement estimated in planning at about $6.5 million (projected costs will be revisited after actual bids).

Waddier reminded the council that the solid waste enterprise fund operates without general fund support; it is funded by customer fees and commercial haulers. He noted the council previously approved a 4.2 percent rate increase that would be effective in the new fiscal year, based on a 2023 rate study. Waddier compared current local landfill/transfer rates with nearby communities to show Grand Island’s rates remain competitive.

Council members asked about timeline and site permitting; Waddier said state permitting and environmental reviews added time but that the project has cleared major regulatory steps and is ready for contractor selection. No formal action was taken during the presentation.