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County hears landfill operator report: compost contract, broken equipment and thin margins prompt review
Summary
Commissioners heard that the county's ADM compost contract is under strain: key equipment has been out of service since June, tonnage limits are being reached early, and the operation posted modest revenue last year, prompting calls to renegotiate terms and estimate equipment costs.
County landfill staff and commissioners spent an extended portion of the meeting reviewing operations tied to the ADM composting agreement and general landfill management. The landfill supervisor reported that the tractor required for bean-turning (used as cover and compost input) has been in repair since June and that crews have been compensating with backhoes, an inefficient workaround.
Staff said the county had already received roughly 30% of the annual tonnage allowance as of early February, raising concerns about capacity and the need for reliable equipment. Financials discussed in the meeting showed revenue from the ADM contract of about $73,345.45 for the prior year; commissioners noted that after labor, machinery and transport expenses the operation could be running at a loss under current pricing.
Commissioners asked staff to assemble cost estimates for replacement or leased equipment, to revisit contract terms with ADM and to consider renegotiation if the county is not covering its costs. Several commissioners recommended a site visit and more precise budgeting of labor and capital needs before deciding whether to continue current practices.
No binding decision was made at the meeting; commissioners agreed to carry the ADM agreement discussion to next Monday and asked staff for numbers to inform renegotiation or operational changes.
