Commissioners approve $97,000 amendment to McGill contract as county rebids landfill work

McGill & Associates returned to the Macon County Board of Commissioners with revised landfill plans and a recommendation to amend its design contract to finish redesign and rebid the project. The firm said expanded footprints and revised permit work—plus market pressures on materials and haul options—made a contract increase necessary.

A McGill representative summarized the changes: the design now contemplates an expanded 2A/2B combined cell and additional environmental permitting, prequalification modifications to increase local bidder participation and plan revisions intended to reduce bid prices. The firm proposed a maximum not-to-exceed increase of $97,000, bringing the contract ceiling to roughly $585,800.

County staff said the additional funds would come from the solid-waste fund balance, not the general fund, and that an RFP for hauling and tipping fees is being evaluated to compare the cost of hauling waste elsewhere versus expanding the in‑county landfill. "We may not spend it all depending on where we get into the bidding process," county staff said, but pre-audit and contract execution require the appropriation in advance.

Commissioners discussed the tradeoffs of continuing to operate the landfill versus hauling, the need for a full life‑cycle cost comparison (including land value, operating and monitoring costs) and the urgency given landfill capacity pressures. Commissioner Young made the motion to amend McGill’s contract and appropriate the $97,000; Commissioner Shields seconded. The board approved the amendment and appropriation by a recorded vote of 5–0.

The county plans to return next month with bid comparisons and updated cost estimates for hauling alternatives and the final construction award recommendation.