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County to negotiate five‑year extension with New River after solid‑waste ‘deep dive’
Summary
Following a detailed presentation on solid waste funding, debris response and the MRF, the board authorized staff to initiate negotiations with New River Solid Waste Association for a five‑year contract extension; director reported Hurricane Elaine debris totals of about 208,000 cubic yards and an estimated $5.4 million cost.
After a detailed "deep dive" into solid‑waste operations and post‑storm debris work April 1, the Alachua County Board authorized staff to begin negotiations with New River Solid Waste Association to extend the county’s disposal agreement for five years.
Solid‑waste presenter Olmos (S7), introduced earlier by the county manager, described the department’s funding structure (mandatory curbside assessment fund 148, rural collection center fund 403, and countywide solid‑waste assessment fund 405), the dual‑stream MRF, rural collection‑center expansion plans and capital needs at the transfer station. Olmos said the county collects most county waste, consolidates at the transfer station, and hauls to New River under the current agreement that expires Dec. 31, 2028.
On Hurricane Elaine response, Olmos reported: "we ended up collecting a little over 208,000 cubic yards of yard waste" (final from an initial estimate of 350,000), and "we collected 2,031 hazardous trees and limbs" with an estimated cost of about "$5,400,000," noting staff are still finalizing invoices and looking to streamline procurement for future events.
Olmos told commissioners the county plans to issue a joint RFP to replace the piggybacking approach that complicated FEMA reimbursement during the Elaine response; the joint RFP would allow municipalities to piggyback but give each its own agreement and clearer procurement paths. He also reported transfer‑station capital needs (roof replacement) and that a desktop analysis by Tetra Tech found limited viable alternatives to New River in the near term, given distance and price.
Commissioner Alfred (S6) moved and Commissioner Cornell (S4) seconded a motion authorizing staff to initiate negotiations with New River for an additional five years; the board approved by voice vote. Olmos said staff will pursue negotiations and will also examine options such as hauling alternatives, potential local collection vendors, and opportunities to increase local contractor participation in debris events.
The department also discussed progress on the Ecoloop and potential private‑sector partnerships for future recycling and C&D handling; Olmos noted interest from Florida Express Environmental and cautioned that several prior efforts stalled. Olmos outlined future steps: replace the transfer station roof (funded from tipping fees), pursue purchase/expansion of rural collection sites (Fairbanks and Newberry), pursue EPA grant funding for a new hazardous‑waste facility (current ask was $4.2 million, with $1.5 million budgeted and the remainder pending grant decisions), and create a local vendor list for debris events to increase small‑vendor participation.
The board’s authorization to initiate negotiations does not bind final contract terms; staff will return to the board with negotiated terms for approval.
