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Prince Edward County to update solid-waste plan, purchase new compactor for convenience site
Summary
The Board approved hiring La Bella & Associates to update Prince Edward County's solid-waste management plan and to notify Virginia DEQ of its intent to withdraw from the current regional planning unit; the board also approved a state-contract purchase of a new Worsham/Washington convenience-site compactor and discussed disposal options for unsold logs.
Prince Edward County supervisors voted to hire La Bella & Associates for a planned update to the county's solid-waste management plan and to notify the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality that the county intends to withdraw from its existing regional planning unit with Cumberland.
County solid-waste manager Jeff Jones told the board the existing regional arrangement no longer reflects local operations because a new landfill is being built in Cumberland and the two localities have limited operational overlap. Jones said the proposal in the packet carries a budgeted cost of $45,000 and recommended the county develop and submit a standalone solid-waste plan to DEQ. "We recommend that Prince Edward County withdraw from the current regional planning unit and develop and submit a solid waste plan for Prince Edward County," Jones said.
Why it matters: county officials said a separate plan would allow Prince Edward County to tailor services to local needs and avoid planning tied to a neighboring landfill that will compete for customers. Supervisors asked staff about potential cost differences; staff said short-term costs could rise because the county would no longer share consultant expenses, but long-term planning focused on county needs could be more advantageous.
The board also addressed routine landfill operations. Staff reported 60-plus oak logs from a Worsham convenience-site construction project received no sealed bids when offered for sale; the board discussed options including loading the logs for local buyers and pursuing smaller buyers who could not meet bid insurance requirements. Jeff Jones said scale-house staff could load logs for buyers who supply appropriate trailers or flatbeds.
On procurement, the board approved purchasing a new Marathon RJ350 compactor for the Washington convenience center through the state contract at a reduced price of $35,348.10 (retail price cited by staff $44,928). Jones said the existing compactors are more than 25 years old, parts are becoming obsolete and the county has budgeted funds in the refuse budget to cover the purchase. "We're saving almost $10,000 by going through state contract," he said.
What the board did: after discussion the board moved and approved the La Bella contract and the compactor purchase by voice/roll-call vote; minutes reflect affirmatives from members present. The La Bella motion directs the county administrator to file the application with DEQ notifying intent to withdraw from the current planning unit and to submit a standalone plan for Prince Edward County. The compactor purchase will proceed under county procurement rules using appropriated refuse funds.
Next steps: staff will file the DEQ notice and proceed with the consultant contract, return with any final procurement paperwork for the compactor as required, and report back on the disposition plan for the unsold logs.
