Lincoln County commissioners agree to re-issue hauling RFP after county cost review

Lincoln County commissioners voted April 15 to re-open bidding for the county hauling contract after staff presented a cost comparison showing county operation would be more expensive than the current Evergreen bid in the short term.

Kathy Hooper, who prepared the cost breakdown, told the commission that the county-operated scenario would likely cost more than Evergreen for the first two years but could approach break-even in year three under a 3.3% annual escalation assumption. "It shows that it would be more expensive for the county to take over hauling from the sites than the current Evergreen bid in the first couple years," Hooper said.

Commissioners discussed options including reissuing the RFP, negotiating with Evergreen, or adopting a hybrid model in which the county hauls the most remote sites while contracting other routes. Commissioner (S3) said reopening the bid process was prudent given additional interested bidders who may not have seen the first solicitation. "Let's put it back out for bid and see what we get," Chair said, and the board directed staff to reissue the solicitation and return with bid evaluations.

Staff noted county estimates assume maintaining the current schedule and include costs for leasing two compactor trucks and added fuel and maintenance for increased travel if the county hauled remote routes to the Eureka landfill. Hooper cautioned that projections are sensitive to fuel, repair and equipment costs and that exact savings depend on which remote sites might be removed from contracted service.

The commission did not adopt any contractual changes at the meeting; instead, it directed staff to re-bid, collect further proposals, and report back for a decision on whether to accept a contractor bid, negotiate, or implement a county-run or hybrid hauling plan.