Commissioners weigh rebidding sanitation hauling, confirm county control of transfer station

Residents and commissioners discussed county sanitation operations May 11, focusing on a contract offer from Allgreen to operate the transfer station and on whether hauling services should be bid.

Ralph Evans told the board he had been told in 2018 by former Commissioner McBride that hauling would not be bid and urged the county to seek local bids so local businesses would benefit and be more accountable. Chairman Will Boyd and Vice‑Chairman J.C. Warren said the board had chosen an experienced contractor at the time but encouraged anyone interested in bidding to do so.

County staff and residents asked whether the proposed arrangement would be a lease; board members confirmed the county would retain control of the transfer station and that a lease would not be executed. Paul Keller Newton asked for confirmation there would be no lease; the board provided that confirmation on the record. Questions also addressed whether construction and demolition (C&D) debris could be taken to an inert landfill in Screven County and the length and scope of any future contract.

Supporters of Allgreen, including Sam Sullivan, said Allgreen could load trucks faster and had not raised rates on the county despite contract language that allowed rate increases. Some commissioners said the county should bid sanitation services and consider separating collection from hauling or using inmate labor to reduce costs. Commissioner Triplett suggested scheduling a workshop to catalog resources, responsibilities and contract dates before deciding on contracting or rebidding.

The minutes record board direction to gather details and hold further discussion; no binding contract award or formal rebid was approved during the meeting.