Macon County board approves financing and awards $8.41 million landfill contract after split vote

The Macon County Board of Commissioners voted to proceed with financing and project authorization for construction of landfill cell 2A2B and unanimously approved a construction contract award to F.M. Kitchens Construction Services for $8,411,889.

County Manager Warren Cabe told the board the Local Government Commission had approved the financing package for the cell-construction project and recommended adopting a bond order and project ordinance to move the project forward. After discussion with Interim Solid Waste Director Jaimie Picou, Commissioners Young, Shields, Shearl and Antoine voted in favor and Commissioner Breeden voted against the budget amendment and project ordinance, resulting in a 4–1 approval to proceed.

Separately, Cabe requested approval to accept the low bid from F.M. Kitchens Construction Services to build cell 2A2B for $8,411,889 and to authorize the County Manager to execute a contract; the board approved that contract award unanimously.

Picou presented comparative data on waste-management operations in neighboring counties during the discussion; the record shows the board considered regional practices as part of the procurement and budgeting deliberations. The financing approval authorizes the county to issue special-obligation bonds to support construction, per the project ordinance adopted at the meeting.

The board did not rescind the 4–1 budget amendment vote; Commissioner Breeden’s opposition was recorded in the minutes but no motion to reconsider was made. County staff will execute the contract and return with updates as required under the project ordinance and bond documents.