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Ellis County asks staff to analyze costs of hauling waste vs. in‑county hauling
Summary
Commissioners asked environmental services staff to produce a cost analysis comparing current hauling contracts with a county‑run hauling operation, after a presentation showing Ellis pays about $23 per ton plus hauling and neighboring counties report different approaches and rates.
Ellis County commissioners asked staff to prepare a detailed cost analysis weighing whether to continue contracting hauling of municipal waste or to invest in county‑run hauling and related equipment.
Justin Craig, the county’s environmental services director, presented a side‑by‑side comparison of neighboring counties’ landfill and hauling rates and said Ellis currently pays about $23 per ton for landfill disposal plus hauling costs. Craig told the commission that counties that operate their own transfer/hauling programs often had lower per‑ton rates because they had already made capital investments in trucks, trailers and staff.
Craig cautioned that opening a local landfill or shifting to in‑county hauling carries substantial upfront and long‑term obligations. He said: “You have to find the land, you have to purchase the land. … There’s a lot of startup costs and then continuing ongoing because even after you close a landfill, you have to maintain it for 30 years.” He also noted technical requirements such as lining to prevent leachate from entering groundwater.
A commissioner asked staff to model a scenario that would add two county hauling crews (trucks and trailers) and estimate first–year losses versus longer‑term savings. Commissioners discussed contract expiration timing and next steps: current hauling contracts expire March 30, 2026, giving staff time to include an analysis when the county goes out for bids.
Craig provided operational context for the county’s waste stream: alley cleanup events can require four to five trailers per day and municipal haul volumes average roughly 1,000 tons per month. Commissioners emphasized the need for a cost comparison that includes equipment purchase prices, staffing, fuel, maintenance, trailer rental, and the impact on tipping fees for residents.
Next steps: Craig will prepare a written cost analysis and options memo for the commission to review before the county’s upcoming bidding process.
