Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County examines costs of taking over solid‑waste hauling versus renewing Evergreen contract
Summary
Public works presented five‑year cost comparisons showing a county takeover would require startup purchases (notably ~ $128,000 for replacement four‑yard dumpsters and extra vehicle/insurance costs) while renewing the Evergreen contract locks in known costs and backup equipment; commissioners were asked to consider figures before a vote on tomorrow's agenda.
Lincoln County staff presented commissioners with a side‑by‑side five‑year financial comparison on May 26 to help decide whether to renew the current Evergreen hauling contract or have the county resume hauling itself.
The staff analysis projects that, excluding one-time startup costs for equipment, the county takeover would cost roughly $41,000 more in year one and about $11,000 more by year five than continuing the Evergreen contract. Startup costs for the takeover include replacement of four‑yard courtyard dumpsters (staff estimated about $2,000 per box and roughly $128,000 to replace the set Evergreen had provided) plus leased compactor trucks, additional drivers, insurance, maintenance and extra fuel and roll‑off freight between Eureka and Libby.
Staff noted there is a possibility Evergreen would sell existing green boxes to the county at reduced cost, which would lower the startup figure. The contract option provides known, fixed pricing and backup equipment during the contract term. Staff also flagged two near‑term capital needs regardless of option: replacing a truck and repairing a truck barn damaged in a windstorm; those one‑time expenses were included in the presented budgets.
Commissioners said they would review the detailed breakouts before the following day’s meeting where contract renewal would be on the agenda. No decision was made on May 26.
What’s next: commissioners will consider the staff cost comparisons and the contract renewal on the next agenda; staff said fund balances and one‑time insurance recoveries were already included in the presented figures.
