Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Koochiching County to negotiate demolition‑waste disposal contract with Lake of the Woods County
Summary
The board authorized staff to discuss a construction and demolition disposal agreement with neighboring Lake of the Woods County at $18 per cubic yard, subject to a later contract and county board approval.
INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — The Koochiching County Board of Commissioners authorized county staff on March 25 to negotiate a contract to accept construction and demolition waste from Lake of the Woods County at a proposed disposal charge of $18 per cubic yard.
Solid waste staff told the board Lake of the Woods County plans to close its demolition landfill at the end of 2025 because of state requirements for liners and leachate control and is exploring disposal options. Koochiching staff said the county’s in‑county disposal charge is $12 per cubic yard and the standard out‑of‑county charge is $18 per cubic yard; the Solid Waste Advisory Committee recommended the same $18 per‑yard rate for Lake of the Woods County to cover estimated costs plus a termination clause for renegotiation if conditions change.
Board action and next steps
The board authorized staff to inform Lake of the Woods County that Koochiching is interested in accepting demolition waste at a per‑yard fee of $18 and to return with a negotiated contract for formal approval. County staff said a trial of a few loads would likely occur in the summer to test operations before any full contract took effect in fall 2025.
Operational and financial considerations
County staff provided an estimate that the additional volume could generate approximately $20,000–$30,000 of annual revenue based on Lake of the Woods County’s estimated volumes. The county noted existing policies for contractor backhauls could be used if Lake of the Woods chose to return trailers on Koochiching’s hauling routes, and staff said any contract would include termination or renegotiation clauses to address future requirements such as liners or leachate treatment that would increase operating costs.
Why it matters
County staff characterized the arrangement as a potential regional efficiency that could reduce disposal costs for both counties and could support future cooperative projects, while preserving the county’s ability to adjust terms if regulatory or cost conditions change.
