Yadkin County awards landfill scale contract to Charlotte Scale, approves $125,425 budget amendment

The Yadkin County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 5 voted to award a contract to Charlotte Scale to replace the county landfilltruck scale and to approve a $125,425 budget amendment to appropriate fund balance for the project.

County Manager Michael Silverman said the countyscale, installed in the 1990s, has exceeded its life cycle and staff recommended a new above-ground scale on a new foundation with a steel deck so the installation can be moved later as county landfill plans evolve. Staff told the Board the existing foundation is in poor condition and using it would require a temporary scale (about $50,000) while work proceeds, which would raise total costs for the "existing foundation" option.

Don Monteith of Charlotte Scale explained three bid options and why a steel deck is preferred for future relocation. "A steel deck only weighs around 8,000 pounds so a smaller crane can move it and it is easier to move," Monteith said, contrasting a concrete deck in three 30,000-pound sections that would require larger cranes and longer cure times. He also estimated about $45,000 would be needed for a new foundation and ramp work if the deck is moved later.

Commissioner Tim Parks moved to award the bid and authorize the County Manager to negotiate a contract with Charlotte Scale and to approve the related $125,425 budget amendment to appropriated fund balance; Vice Chairman Frank Zachary seconded and the motion passed 5-0.

The project uses an above-ground scale design that staff said will be easier to service and keep clean. Staff indicated the county will plan a new scale house and a second scale in a future phase; the steel-deck option was chosen as a lower-cost, more relocatable interim solution. The Board did not specify an exact installation schedule at the meeting.