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Public Works to gather cost data before changing roll‑off rental fees; names lead driver candidate
Summary
Committee advanced appointing a trusted driver as assistant supervisor and agreed to collect detailed per‑run cost data before altering roll‑off rental fees that contractors say are hurting demolition work.
Speaker 1 opened the meeting and the Public Works Committee began discussion of solid waste operations, including staffing, compactor work and roll‑off rental charges. Speaker 5 introduced Tracy Bridal as a candidate for a lead driver/assistant supervisor, saying Bridal "has been with us 5 years now" and that in‑house promotion would give the department a trusted lead. Members agreed Bridal’s experience made him a reasonable internal option, but noted any pay bump should wait until budget figures are confirmed.
The committee then turned to roll‑off rental fees, a recurring issue since the commission previously raised the setup fee. "We voted to raise the fees of roll off — I think it was $345 from a $150," Speaker 5 said, summarizing the rate change contractors have questioned. Speaker 5 said the current structure typically bundles two tons into the initial $345 set fee and that contractors pay tonnage on top of that. Committee members pressed for exact cost accounting: Speaker 3 asked for itemized estimates for fuel, mileage, employee time and turnaround to the Smith County landfill, noting that per‑run costs vary depending on where a truck starts in the county. The committee did not change rates; members asked staff to return with detailed per‑run cost estimates and a recommendation at a future work session.
Speaker 5 also reported progress at the convenience‑center compactor, saying concrete footers and metal reinforcement are in place and that staff expect to open the compactor once signage and asphalt repairs are complete. "Everything's up. Everything's good," Speaker 5 said about the compactor site improvements.
The committee emphasized balancing cleanup goals with fiscal prudence: members said they want to keep demolition contractors using the county service where practical but do not want to underprice the service or incur losses. The discussion concluded with an agreement to prepare cost tallies and revisit the fee structure in a work session.
The committee recorded no formal policy changes on roll‑off fees at this meeting; the matter remains under review pending staff cost estimates.
