Valley County moves to extend Lakeshore disposal contract while launching RFP and community survey on woody‑debris options

Valley County commissioners agreed on May 26 to allow a one‑year automatic renewal of their existing contract with Lakeshore Disposal while staff develops a request for proposals and seeks public input on long‑term options for waste and woody‑debris management.

The move followed a workshop discussion noting the current trash contract expires Sept. 30 and contains a clause that renews the agreement for one year if neither party objects within a 60‑day window. Staff told commissioners they want to keep service continuous while the county issues an RFP to solicit proposals for future trash services and to build contract language that addresses woody‑debris handling and limits on accepting out‑of‑county loads.

Why it matters: Residents have raised concerns about transparency and cost, and the county faces growing volumes of woody debris that have driven up chipping and hauling costs. Commissioners said they want a clear written arrangement with neighboring jurisdictions — notably Riggins and Idaho County — so Valley County ratepayers are not subsidizing outside waste.

Commissioners and staff discussed longstanding practices allowing some out‑of‑county material to be accepted under past agreements. Staff said Valley County pays a gate fee of $150 per ton on loads attributable to Riggins, and one commissioner noted an estimated roughly $14,000 annual margin at the transfer station tied to that arrangement. Commissioners asked staff to pursue a memorandum of understanding or a three‑party agreement as appropriate and to document the historic arrangement in writing.

The workshop devoted substantial time to woody‑biomass options. The county currently runs a “bring it, don’t burn it” program that provides free residential drop‑off at fire stations for limited periods and chips material at the Lake Fork and transfer sites. Staff said chipping has become more frequent — from about once a year to twice — and that shipping and grinding costs are significant. Commissioners were told chipping runs and grinding mobilizations have material costs; staff provided an estimate that a typical chipping run is budgeted near $150 per trip (estimates vary), and that the capital cost for a movable air‑burner/biochar machine discussed during the workshop could be in the $230,000–$300,000 range.

One vendor option described during the meeting was a diesel‑fueled air burner that heats material to produce biochar while reducing visible smoke. Proponents at the meeting argued such equipment could reduce long‑term storage issues and perhaps produce a marketable end product. County staff and commissioners cautioned that equipment maintenance, site power (three‑phase needed for blowers), an on‑site operator for much of the season and environmental review would be required.

Commissioners directed staff to: include woody‑debris handling options in the upcoming RFP; develop clearer contractual language to permit Valley County to decline out‑of‑county loads if necessary; and prepare cost comparisons for chipping, burning and other alternatives. They also asked for a community survey to gauge resident preferences on air‑quality tradeoffs, composting, chipping and burning before committing to an expensive capital purchase.

What happens next: Staff will proceed with the automatic one‑year renewal under the current Lakeshore contract to avoid service interruption and will return with recommended RFP language, cost estimates, and draft MOU language for any out‑of‑county arrangements. The county plans June chipping and may schedule a separate agenda item to vote on burn vs. ship options pending community input. The meeting record indicates no formal recorded roll‑call vote on the contract item during the workshop; the board accepted staff’s recommendation to renew for one year under the contract terms and study long‑term options.