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County outlines operations plan, staffing needs and possible gate fee for new South County transfer station
Summary
Public Works director Kelly Fricke said the county has secured land and equipment for a South County transfer station, plans a Dec. 15 contract award and estimates opening by July 2026; staff requested support for three new full‑time positions and presented a possible $5 per‑vehicle gate fee to offset approximately $315,000 in additional annual operating costs.
Public Works Director Kelly Fricke updated supervisors on the county’s South County solid waste transfer station project and requested feedback on operating days, staffing and potential user fees.
Fricke said the county secured a 10‑acre site from the Bureau of Reclamation, issued an RFP in October and opened bids Nov. 18; staff plans to return to the board Dec. 15 to award a construction contract. The contractor would have 120 calendar days after notice to proceed; if schedules hold, Fricke said the facility could open by July 2026.
On operations, staff proposed opening three days per week initially (Thursday–Saturday or Friday–Sunday) with monthly monitoring of attendance and tonnage; if demand requires more days, staff would return with a recommendation. To operate 3 days per week without degrading service at four existing transfer sites, Fricke said the county needs at least three additional full‑time positions (one equipment operator and two solid waste technicians). She estimated adding the new site would increase annual program costs by about $315,000 (approximately $195,000 personnel and $120,000 for expenses), bringing total program operating costs to roughly $1.3 million.
To offset operating costs, Fricke proposed a modest flat gate fee (for example, $5 per vehicle). She noted a $5 fee applied to last year’s 84,000‑vehicle count would have generated about $420,000 — more than enough to cover the estimated new costs — and said the county received an ADEQ Right‑of‑Way grant for $79,000 to fund outreach and anti‑dumping education.
Board members expressed divergent views. Some supervisors urged broader weekday hours or even more days open to reduce illegal dumping, especially near agricultural fields; others emphasized staffing constraints and timing relative to the fiscal year. Supervisors asked for comparative data on what other counties charge and for a fee structure proposal; staff confirmed they have researched peer fees and offered to return with options.
