Van Buren County commission votes to pursue purchase of waste hauler BDS pending contract terms

The Van Buren County Commission voted on Nov. 15, 2016 to proceed with the purchase of local waste hauler BDS, contingent on a contract to be drafted by the county attorney that will specify the total purchase price, a payment plan and a five‑year non‑compete provision. Brian Simmons moved to proceed with the purchase and David Chandler seconded the motion; the motion passed with eight members voting yes and one abstention (Joey Grissom).

Committee A Chair Lesa Bouldin told the full commission that committee members believe the purchase “would work for the better of the County.” County Mayor Greg Wilson clarified the scope, saying, “This is the roll off business, not the residential, we will gain BDS’s residential garbage into the solid waste.” The transcript does not specify the purchase price or the payment schedule; those details are to be included in the contract drafted by County Attorney Howard Upchurch.

The motion directed the county attorney to prepare a contract that includes the total purchase price, payment plan and a five‑year non‑compete agreement. The transcript records no opposing votes; one commissioner, Joey Grissom, abstained. William Maxwell was noted as absent at roll call.

Why it matters: shifting BDS’s residential collection into county solid‑waste operations could change local collection routing and revenue flows and reduce the need for residents to take residential waste outside the county (the record says BDS had been taking garbage to Smith County). The commission’s action is procedural approval to proceed; a finalized contract will be required before a purchase is completed.

What’s next: County Attorney Howard Upchurch will draft the contract language; the commission voted only to proceed pending that contract, and the finalized terms (including the purchase price and payment plan) were not specified in the meeting record.