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Solid Waste authority approves contractor change orders; brush rate to rise substantially
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Summary
The Solid Waste Management Authority unanimously approved two contractor change orders that staff say will increase most contractor line-item rates about 2.2% and the brush component by roughly 14–17%; staff acknowledged a calculation error in the paperwork that will be corrected.
The Solid Waste Management Authority voted unanimously to approve two operations change orders that adjust contractor compensation and will translate into customer rate changes, most notably a double-digit increase in the brush rate.
Staff presented change order 37 and discussed a separate change order 27 as part of the same rate-update process. Director (staff) said the change orders adjust the amount Hambro WSG is paid per ton or item and explained that most rates for the Del Norte County Transfer Station will rise about 2.2%, while brush-handling rates are increasing by roughly 14–17 percent. "This is all in arrears," the director said, describing the change as an alignment of what the contractor is already being paid and what the authority must now formalize.
Commissioners pressed staff about a discrepancy between two calculation factors shown in documents; one line used 1.0219 while another read 1.0129. The director acknowledged the error and said the factor "will be corrected." Commissioners also asked why the two change orders use different baseline (effective-day) indices; staff said change order 37 traces its index back to March 2021 while change order 27 uses February 2025, reflecting different contract histories and previously adopted change orders.
Board members asked whether annual increases are capped. Staff said most components are effectively capped at 4% annual growth, but the brush component is treated separately and therefore rose more in this adjustment. Commissioners emphasized the need to communicate consumer rate changes when the board adopts a rate ordinance and draft budget next month.
The board moved and took a roll-call vote on the change orders. The motion to approve change order 37 passed by unanimous roll call; the motion to approve change order 27 likewise passed unanimously. The clerk recorded aye votes from Commissioner Nuffa, Commissioner Short, Commissioner Wright, Commissioner Greenough and Chair Wilson.
What's next: staff said it will correct the numerical factor in the documents, inform customers of the upcoming rate ordinance, and bring the draft budget for final consideration at the next meeting.
