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Winnebago County board approves $29,900 for PFAS pretreatment study, staff recommends Cornerstone
Summary
The county approved a $29,900 budget amendment to fund an analysis of pretreatment options for landfill leachate containing PFAS. Staff recommended Cornerstone for its PFAS experience; members said the study will better position the county for potential state grant funding and future capital planning.
The Winnebago County board voted to add $29,900 to the solid-waste budget to fund a study of pretreatment options for landfill leachate containing PFAS, the board’s chair announced after a voice vote.
Staff recommended awarding the analysis to Cornerstone, citing the firm’s experience with PFAS and familiarity with county operations that staff said would reduce hours and produce a more detailed deliverable. Staff told the board three proposals were received: a low-priced submission near $29,900, Cornerstone at about $59,900 and TRC Environmental with a much higher proposal. "Our panel selected Cornerstone; they seem to have the best proposal in place and have significantly more experience with detox treatment technology," a staff member said.
The board discussed the price gap and evaluation criteria. One supervisor said he was reluctant to "throw away an extra $30," but acknowledged the value of a more thorough study. Staff said extending the project schedule by six months would likely not reduce the proposers’ prices but could allow proposers to include more detailed analysis.
Staff framed the study as a planning step tied to state legislation and grant opportunities. The staff presentation referenced recent omnibus bills discussed at prior meetings and noted a statutory deadline for compliance that was reported in staff materials to have moved from Dec. 31, 2028, to Dec. 31, 2032. "If we held up and didn't do the study this year, potentially within the next two to three years there could be grant money to offset some of the cost," staff said, adding that having a shovel-ready project often strengthens a construction-grant application.
Board members also discussed regional options and constraints, including the potential to site a shared pretreatment facility with neighboring counties and transportation limits if PFAS is classified as hazardous waste. Staff cautioned that regional partnerships raise questions about MOUs, flow control, siting, and transportation laws.
A committee member made the motion to approve the staff recommendation and add $29,900 to the budget; another member seconded. The chair called for a voice vote and declared the motion carried after members signified "aye." The board also directed staff to continue outreach with procurement and finance committees as the project moves through committee review.
The study will examine on-site pretreatment, partnerships with wastewater treatment plants and off-site options; staff said deliverables will be refined to match information available as regulations and technical options evolve. Staff indicated they will return with a final scope and timeline in a future meeting.
