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Macon County authorizes emergency waste-hauler contracts after Hurricane Helene and Highway 106 closure
Summary
Facing debris and access problems after Tropical Storm Helene and a closed Highway 106, the Board unanimously authorized the County Manager to contract vendors to transport tractor-trailer loads of waste from Highlands Transfer Station under an emergency action; county intends to seek reimbursement via emergency funding.
Interim County Manager Warren Cabe and Solid Waste Director Chris Stahl updated the Board on recovery from Tropical Storm Helene at the Nov. 12 meeting, describing debris accumulation, access restrictions and disruptions to regular hauling routes caused by the closure of Highway 106.
Stahl said the closure forced the franchise hauler to reduce trips to the Macon County Landfill to one per day, and contractors were required to deliver garbage directly to the landfill rather than use the Highlands Transfer Station. Cabe said the county negotiated an Army Corps of Engineers arrangement to remove debris at no cost to Macon County; the agreement is between the State and the Corps and includes tipping fees paid to the county. Because the detour and roadway closure constrained the original debris plan, the board unanimously authorized the County Manager to enter into an emergency contract for alternative vendors to move tractor-trailer loads of waste from Highlands Transfer Station. Cabe said the county would front costs and apply for emergency funding to recover expenses.
The authorization followed discussion about options for additional haulers, potential out‑of‑state hauling (which would require board approval under the Franchise Ordinance), and a target repair date of January 2025 for Highway 106. The motion passed unanimously.
