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Solid waste budget asks include two compactor bins and software upgrades; bailer reliability and market swings weigh on revenue outlook
Summary
County staff asked for two replacement compactor bins ($50,000) and $10–25,000 for scale software upgrades as part of a $463,000 preliminary solid waste budget; commissioners discussed bailer breakdowns, volatile cardboard prices and the fund's depleted reserves.
WASECA, Minn. — County staff presented a $463,000 preliminary 2026 solid waste budget with a $167,000 levy request and identified two immediate capital needs: replacement of two compactor bins (estimated $50,000) and a placeholder of $10,000–$25,000 for a new scale software and hardware package.
Speaker 2 told commissioners the department—s scale software vendor will stop supporting the current package this year, prompting a $10,000–$25,000 placeholder while staff evaluates options. The presentation said material sales are volatile; Speaker 10 reported the county likely lost $15,000–$20,000 while the bailer was down and that cardboard prices have fallen this year from about $120 per ton to about $85 per ton.
Operational concerns: Commissioners and staff discussed bailer reliability (equipment originally purchased in 2013, retrofitted in 2019), repair history and replacement options. Speaker 2 said the fund—s reserve was largely spent last year and there are no remaining transfers to cover an immediate bailer replacement if needed.
Board direction: The board asked staff to continue evaluating replacement options and potential external funding, and to include any recommended capital replacements in the upcoming budget packet.
Next steps: Staff will refine vendor quotes for compactor bins and scale options and return with cost comparisons and possible funding sources.
