Board orders emergency procurement options, allows contractor one last pitch on road disposal contract

An unidentified solid-waste representative (S5) told the board the county faces an urgent procurement timeline for a road disposal contract and raised operational concerns, including recently proposed rate increases, pending DEQ permit changes, necessary equipment purchases and staffing constraints.

"It was a very, very poorly presented rate increase," the representative said, urging the board to let the current contractor make another pitch and to consider a short, interim solution rather than a rushed RFP. The speaker warned the present contract expires on the 30th, leaving little time to re-run a full procurement process.

Board members agreed to hear the contractor again but emphasized the need for a Plan B. One commissioner said the county should be prepared to hire a short-term contractor on an emergency basis while the county runs a 60-day RFP process: "At least on a 1 year basis, I give somebody a 1 year contract to do the work until we can complete the RFP for something that's more, sustainable." Staff indicated an emergency procurement could be possible but that timing would be tight.

Ultimately the board directed staff to draft an emergency-clause/temporary procurement process, proceed with an RFP, and invite the existing contractor to make one final presentation next week. The board also requested staff prepare contingency options should negotiations fail.

The board did not adopt a formal written motion on contract award during the meeting; instead it provided staff direction to pursue emergency procurement steps and to report back.