Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solid Waste topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County looks at cost of taking over solid-waste hauling vs. extending Evergreen contract
Summary
Staff presented a five-year comparison showing a county takeover of hauling would cost roughly $261,164 more over five years than renewing the Evergreen contract, including potential startup costs (~$128,000) for four-yard dumpsters and one-time capital needs (truck and truck-barn replacements) this year; commissioners will consider the contract at the next meeting.
County solid-waste staff presented commissioners with a five-year budget comparison on May 26 showing two options: sign a renewal with contractor Evergreen at a projected $2.9 million over five years, or have the county assume hauling operations, which staff estimated would cost an additional roughly $261,164 over five years once startup costs and leased equipment are factored in.
Solid-waste staff said that startup costs for a county takeover could include buying or replacing four-yard courtyard dumpsters (roughly $2,000 per unit; the transcript shows about $128,000 identified as a potential purchase in year one) and leasing or buying compactor trucks, additional drivers, fuel and insurance. Staff also noted current-year capital expenses—replacement of a truck and a truck barn—totaling about $300,000 that are not expected to recur in future years.
"If the county takes over it’s an additional $261,164 versus contracting with Evergreen over five years," the solid-waste manager said, explaining the estimated differences and noting Evergreen provides backup equipment and an already-established schedule. Staff said there may be opportunities to add service days in North Lincoln County without increasing costs if the county took over, but recycling arrangements were likely to remain with Evergreen.
Next steps: staff said the contract decision would be on the next day's agenda and encouraged commissioners to review the cost breakdowns and one-time capital needs before acting. Commissioners asked questions about lease versus purchase options, box replacement schedules and fuel-bid terms; the county did not make a decision at the meeting.
