Transjordan landfill seeks Herriman as eighth member; Sandy staff propose second board appointee

Transjordan Cities representatives told the Sandy City Council that Herriman City seeks to join the Transjordan landfill as an eighth member and that Sandy’s public works director, Ryan Kump, plans to ask the council next week to appoint Martin Jensen as Sandy’s alternate board member on the Transjordan board.

The presentation explained why Herriman’s membership would be financially beneficial to the joint landfill and described the buy‑in and deposit schedule Herriman would pay to become a member. Council members asked technical questions about landfill life, alternative disposal options, and whether Herriman’s waste had already been accounted for in Transjordan’s planning.

Transjordan executive director Jaren Scott said Herriman brings about 20,000 curbside tons and about 14,000 resident visits per year to Transjordan operations. Scott said membership would reduce cost pressure on the existing member cities by preserving economies of scale and by keeping resident drop‑off trips local, which also reduces haul distance and vehicle emissions.

Scott explained that, under the interlocal agreement structure, Herriman would initially pay the full commercial gate rate and a buy‑in equal to an eighth of Transjordan’s valuation. He gave an illustrative figure of about $5.52 million as one‑eighth of the cited valuation and described an estimated deposit schedule. Scott further noted that Transjordan bought an overflow landfill (“Baby Landfill”) in 2016 and that the facility now anticipates reaching capacity of the current landfill portion in about seven years; transfers to the Baby Landfill and the new Sandy transfer station are part of its long‑range plan.

Council members pressed on whether Herriman’s membership would change projected closure dates; Scott said Herriman’s waste was already being counted in Transjordan’s planning and that if Herriman were to stop delivering to Transjordan it could marginally extend the South Jordan landfill life, but that the Baby Landfill and transfer station plans provide long‑term capacity. Several council members also asked whether alternative landfills or private sites outside Salt Lake County were realistic destinations for Herriman’s waste; Scott said out‑of‑county options existed and might be considered by haulers or new contractors, but the preferred outcome would be Herriman joining Transjordan.

The council did not vote on the item tonight. Staff and Transjordan representatives said they will bring the amended interlocal agreement and the appointment of Martin Jensen for a vote at the June 24 council meeting.