Muskegon County board approves equipment purchases, orders $1.02 million landfill compactor replacement

The Muskegon County Board of Public Works on Feb. 12 approved a series of equipment purchases and contracting actions for the county’s resource recovery and landfill operations, including the replacement of a fire-damaged landfill compactor and several procurement authorizations.

On a motion moved by Commissioner Nash and supported by Vice Chair Herrmann, the board authorized the Resource Recovery Center to buy a 2025 Case 9383 RQ wheel loader from Forestwell for $270,301.79, amend the FY2026 capital budget, and dispose of the old loader according to the county surplus policy or by trade/auction to secure best value. The motion passed on roll call with Commissioners Cyr, Heskamp and Nash and Chair Cook voting yes and Vice Chair Herrmann voting no.

The board also approved the county’s annual free dump day program for 2026 and waived tipping fees for that program. Members noted 2025 program data included in the packet.

For landfill operations, Public Works Director Wade Anandosh recommended buying a new landfill compactor after a December 2025 fire rendered the county’s existing compactor a total loss. Anandosh said a rebuild quote was about $674,000 but a new machine was available for purchase at a quoted price near $1,020,000 and could be delivered immediately because it had been built for another purchaser. Staff recommended the purchase even though the final insurance settlement had not been received; Anandosh said the county anticipates an insurance recovery in the neighborhood of $800,000 but the claim remains pending. "The quote for the purchase is $1,020,000, which staff is recommending pursue," Anandosh said. The board approved the purchase on roll call.

Separately, the board authorized a sole-source purchase of a Fairbanks Tundra XLT scale from Grand Rapids Metrology for $197,765 with up to 10% contingency (total not to exceed $217,541.50). Staff said the scale is needed west of the landfill entrance ahead of Cell 7 construction and that Grand Rapids Metrology is the only authorized vendor for Fairbanks scales in the region.

The board approved an engineering services proposal from WSP Inc. for $34,700 (plus 10% contingency) related to the west entrance, and authorized a one-year ferric chloride procurement from Mira Water Solutions Inc. at 56.6¢ per dry pound after staff said the low bidder (Web Chemical) had made a bid error and asked to be released from the contract; staff said the next-highest acceptable bidder would be accepted. The board also authorized an RFQ for professional engineering services for the resource recovery section and directed staff to solicit bids for flow-meter calibration and maintenance.

All motions reported in the transcript excerpt were approved by roll call or voice votes as recorded by the chair; the landfill compactor purchase and the sole-source scale purchase were flagged in discussion for timing sensitivity and for pending insurance resolution.